Thursday, March 04, 2010
Legio Wargames has a nice scenario for the Battle of Pharsalus, from the Roman Civil War, August 9, 48 BC. In this, an outnumbered Caesar faced Senate forces under Pompey in Greece. In spite of having just 22,000 to Pompey’s 45,000, Caesar’s veterans of the Gallic Wars, and his skillful use of a reserve won the day.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ian H. revives an old, but worthy idea with Portable Gladiators. Basically, it’s a playing surface, rules and figures all contained in a single large round metal tin—a cookie or biscuit tin.
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Monday, February 23, 2009
Here’s an interesting discussion, along with documented wages and prices from Rome in 301 AD.
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Sunday, January 27, 2008
Who needs Osprey Books? The New York Public Library has a gorgeous set of color plates of the uniforms of the Ancient Roman Army.
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Friday, August 03, 2007
For Warhammer Ancient Battles, here is a paper model of a Roman testudo in 25mm/28mm scale.
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
From the Red Rampant site comes an article on Roman Vexilla (flags, or standards). Useful information for anyone building a Warhammer ancients army of Romans.
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Thursday, October 12, 2006
Here’s a nice Warhammer Ancient Battles scenario for the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. There are also a lot of nice pictures. Romans versus Germans. What else could you want?
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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
I’ve always wanted to do a Romans in Britain scenario. In recent months, I’ve been picking up Romans on Ebay as I’ve found them, and soon will begin looking for Celts and Gauls.
This paper model of a section of Hadrian’s Wall might come in handy. In the scale it’s in, you’d need 79 for a Roman Mile. The model is in black and white, but a little work with watercolor and a fat brush would quickly solve that
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Wednesday, May 31, 2006
This is an exciting book that I literally could not put down. Oxford educated historian Tom Holland brings the whirlwind last years of the Roman republic to life—turning what normally is a dry recitation of names and places into a compelling drama. The machinations of Pompey, Cicero, Sulla, and, of course Caesar, are as complex and devious as anything imaginable. What stuck me most, however, was the many ways in which the last years of the Republic reflect our own modern society.Best wargaming bit: There are a few absolutely thrilling chapters that describe the rampaging Roman street gangs who, in support of one politician or another engaged in open warfare in Rome. It would make an outstanding game—especially when a politician opens his stable of gladiators, only to be countered by another’s private guard of legionnaires.
Rubicon : The Last Years of the Roman Republic
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Thursday, May 25, 2006
Aside from being a great general, politician—and perhaps even a great statesman (his handling of the varioius conquered tribes in Gaul speak to this), Jullius Caesar also was a top notch reporter. His report to the Senate on the campain in Gaul in 58 - 50 BC is one of the great pieces of military literature. While some argue that the works are little more than propaganda pieces, the detail with which he writes makes me think otherwise. Caesar’s style is powerful for its detail, and spare. My guess is that he no more would waste words than he would waste supplies, or political capital.
For miniature wargamers interested in ancient wargaming, this book is a must read. It is one of the few first-hand accounts of ancient warfare that have survived to the modern age. Most other works are second hand, at best.
Hail Caesar!
The Conquest of Gaul (Penguin Classics)
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Poll #1:
Cast your vote and then join the discussion to tell us why.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
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