After six months of being away I needed to take stock of where I am on my Punic Wars project and set some new goals for getting some things completed. I have picked back-up the Republican Romans and I am making some rapid progress on a small unit of principes. My stock of unpainted Romans is getting smaller and, after I complete this current unit, will have only one more unit of principes and one unit of triarii to paint to complete exactly half of my first legion's infantry.
Time to get another order in to Aventine. In addition to ordering the other half of the legion's infantry (two units of velites, two units of hastati, two units of principes and one unit of triarii) I will also be ordering some Roman cavalry at the same time so I can be sure to get those started soon.
I'm planning on having a small game of Hail Caesar with my son Maxwell in a few weeks. Carthaginians versus the might of Rome. I'm excited to move some units around the table again, but I am pretty sure I have forgotten nearly every rule of Hail Caesar. Time to read the book again.
Showing posts with label Punic Wars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Punic Wars. Show all posts
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Maps of Rome, Carthage and the Punic Wars
I have a great love for maps and so over the past year I have enjoyed gathering and saving various maps related to my current Punic Wars project. Some of these maps give a fantastic overview of the region at the time, some show the expanse and retreat of the Roman and Carthaginian empires, while others map the specific troop movements and battles of the wars. These maps will be extremely useful for planning and playing a campaign with my Roman and Carthaginian armies once they are completed.
I thought I would gather these maps all up into one post for others who may be interested in these as a resource.
General Maps of the Region at the Time of the Punic Wars
Maps of the Hannibal's Invasion
Battle Maps of the Punic Wars
I thought I would gather these maps all up into one post for others who may be interested in these as a resource.
General Maps of the Region at the Time of the Punic Wars
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| Map of the Mediterranean from the Punic Wars to Mithridates |
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| Map of North Africa in Ancient Times |
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| Map of Italy |
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| Roman Expansion from 264 to 180 BC |
Maps of the Hannibal's Invasion
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| Hannibals' March with Battle Locations |
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| Hannibal's Invasion Route |
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| Josheph Minard's Classic Graphic of Hannibal's Invasion |
Battle Maps of the Punic Wars
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| Battle of Cannae Initial Phase |
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| Battle of Cannae Middle Phases |
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| Battle of Cannae Final Phase |
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| Battle of Trasimene |
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| Battle of Trebia |
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| Battle of Zama |
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Roman Hastati Completed
After what seemed far too long due to a summer vacation I have completed a unit of the Republican Roman hastati. All of the figures are by Aventine and were a real pleasure to paint with great detail and dynamic poses. This unit will be fielded as a small unit for games of Hail Caesar. The hastati, which were the younger (and poorer) front-line soldiers of the Republican army, have been given the Drilled special rule which allows them to make a free move even on a failed order as well as moving through friendly units without risk of disorder. Both will be exceptionally useful.
This base, for the time being, represents a single maniple. The maniples of the Republican army were comprised of two centuria, each led by a centurion and assisted by an optio, the signifer (standard-bearer) and the cornicen (horn-blower). I chose only to represent the centurion and signifer with actual figures since I wanted to keep the number of "fighting soldiers" higher for aesthetic reasons. Once I have completed enough of these units, a single base can then represent the smaller centuria.
This base, for the time being, represents a single maniple. The maniples of the Republican army were comprised of two centuria, each led by a centurion and assisted by an optio, the signifer (standard-bearer) and the cornicen (horn-blower). I chose only to represent the centurion and signifer with actual figures since I wanted to keep the number of "fighting soldiers" higher for aesthetic reasons. Once I have completed enough of these units, a single base can then represent the smaller centuria.
Monday, June 3, 2013
A Hastatus of the Roman Republic
This is a completed Hastatus for my Republican Roman army. I have been carrying this color scheme in my head for quite a long time now, and I thought I had better finish up a single figure before getting too much further on the rest of the units to be certain that the colors would work well together. I really like how it turned out, especially the way the gold contrasts beautifully with the darker colors.
The photos were taken with a brand new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens that I picked up earlier today. I should be able to get some very nice photos of my painted models and games with this lens. I'm still learning it, but so far I love it!
Colors used:
The photos were taken with a brand new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens that I picked up earlier today. I should be able to get some very nice photos of my painted models and games with this lens. I'm still learning it, but so far I love it!
Colors used:
| Vallejo: Flat Flesh | |
| Vallejo: Dark Red | |
| Vallejo: Burnt Cadmium Red | |
| Vallejo: Vermillion | |
| Vallejo: Old Gold | |
| Vallejo: Bronze | |
| Vallejo: Burnt Umber | |
| Citadel: Lich Purple | |
| Citadel: Chainmail | |
| Citadel: Abaddon Black |
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Roman Velites: WIP No.2
One of the things I want to do differently with my Republican Romans is to paint them in such a way that the viewer say "wow, those guys have had a really hard time of it!". They should look as if they have been in a battle wearing dirty and worn tunics and carrying smashed and hacked shields.
Now, as with most things, painting the figures to look battle-worn is easier said than done. This is a work in progress of some Roman Velites from Aventine. I have replaced the supplied javelins with the NorthStar spears because I like the proportions of them better.
Now, as with most things, painting the figures to look battle-worn is easier said than done. This is a work in progress of some Roman Velites from Aventine. I have replaced the supplied javelins with the NorthStar spears because I like the proportions of them better.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
At Long Last, A Victory for Carthage
Yesterday saw the monthly Hail Caesar battle between the armies of Carthage and Rome. Aaron was kind enough to host the game at his house on a large table set up in his living room which was very fun. Our armies have grown considerably over the last few months and this battle was our largest yet and the most interesting from a strategic point-of-view. The game had moments of panic, twists of fate and some ferocious fighting at the center. At the end of the day, Hannibal displayed great acumen and was able to organize his troops and lead them to a rousing victory.
Hannibal organized his battle lines with his most trusted veterans holding the center supported by the Libyan infantry. To his right flank was his brother Mago, commanding a unit of Spanish Scutarii, a war elephant and the Liby-Phoenician cavalry. Positioned on the left flank was the irritable Hasdrubal and his Numidian cavalry, a second war elephant and a single unit of Spanish. As the morning fog lifted, the Romans emerged - infantry at their center, archers and Numidians to the Carthaginians right and auxiliaries to the left. A single Scorpion was placed atop a hill ready to strike down those that got too near.
The lines on both sides stood and waited. The Roman-allied Numidians suddenly broke from their position and in a cloud of dust raced quickly across the front of the entire Roman line. A gap had been spotted in the Carthaginian left flank and the Romans were quick to exploit it with swift horses and the advance of their auxiliary units. This left flank would prove crucial to the outcome of the battle. Hasdrubal, seeing his error, ordered the Numidians to meet the Romans in a small canyon and to halt their advance. Meanwhile, those Numidians allied with the Romans raced past the skirmish and found themselves suddenly behind the Carthaginian lines, ready to cause havoc. The loyal Spanish lifted their shields and wheeled to meet the unexpected challenge, intent on holding the critical left flank.
On the right flank the Carthaginians were lethargic. Mago failed to rouse his troops to action and in fact, several terrible blunders occurred which resulted in his cavalry fleeing the battle and the mighty war elephant to unexpectedly leave its position and charge toward the enemy in a frenzy. The elephant and its crew were wounded, but the elephant was skillfully returned to the Carthaginian line without too much disruption. Meanwhile the Roman archers crept off to the shores of a small nearby lake hoping to inflict woulds on any advancing enemy while being protected by the marshes and reeds. The Romans on the right flank were unable to take advantage of the Carthaginian blunders due to very poor command rolls. Seeing the inaction of the Romans, Hannibal commanded Mago to abandon the right flank entirely and bring his troops toward the center and away from the lake.
Back on the volatile left flank the fighting was fierce. In the end the Romans auxiliaries and the Roman allied Numidian were either destroyed or sent to flight. Not only was the Carthaginian left flank now secure, but it was free of the enemy and open for a quick advance and flanking maneuver Hannibal, who had held his eager but disciplined veterans back while chaos was enveloping both flanks, finally ordered the advance at the center. The Ligurian slingers, normally so reliable and formidable on the field, were of little consequence as they were scattered by the artillery and advancing Romans - and so it would be heavy infantry clashing with heavy infantry to decide the outcome. Some strong shields and decisive moves by Hannibal saw one unit of veterans supported by the valiant Spanish punch a hole through the Roman lines. These units then circled back - the veterans moving to their left and the Spanish moving to their right and attacking the rear of the Romans who were already engage, trapping them and leading to the destruction of the Romans.
The game lasted about three hours and was extremely enjoyable. We are still plagued with a very, very high number of failed command rolls during our games which is leading to some frustration for both of us. It isn't that one side gains an advantage because of this as it is happening to both of us, but we would rather not have our armies standing around doing nothing, especially when their are strategic decisions that we cannot carry out in a timely manner and so miss the opportunities. We have decided for the next game to up all of our command values by one to see if that helps.
Below are some photos for the game, I hope you enjoy them.
Hannibal organized his battle lines with his most trusted veterans holding the center supported by the Libyan infantry. To his right flank was his brother Mago, commanding a unit of Spanish Scutarii, a war elephant and the Liby-Phoenician cavalry. Positioned on the left flank was the irritable Hasdrubal and his Numidian cavalry, a second war elephant and a single unit of Spanish. As the morning fog lifted, the Romans emerged - infantry at their center, archers and Numidians to the Carthaginians right and auxiliaries to the left. A single Scorpion was placed atop a hill ready to strike down those that got too near.
The lines on both sides stood and waited. The Roman-allied Numidians suddenly broke from their position and in a cloud of dust raced quickly across the front of the entire Roman line. A gap had been spotted in the Carthaginian left flank and the Romans were quick to exploit it with swift horses and the advance of their auxiliary units. This left flank would prove crucial to the outcome of the battle. Hasdrubal, seeing his error, ordered the Numidians to meet the Romans in a small canyon and to halt their advance. Meanwhile, those Numidians allied with the Romans raced past the skirmish and found themselves suddenly behind the Carthaginian lines, ready to cause havoc. The loyal Spanish lifted their shields and wheeled to meet the unexpected challenge, intent on holding the critical left flank.
On the right flank the Carthaginians were lethargic. Mago failed to rouse his troops to action and in fact, several terrible blunders occurred which resulted in his cavalry fleeing the battle and the mighty war elephant to unexpectedly leave its position and charge toward the enemy in a frenzy. The elephant and its crew were wounded, but the elephant was skillfully returned to the Carthaginian line without too much disruption. Meanwhile the Roman archers crept off to the shores of a small nearby lake hoping to inflict woulds on any advancing enemy while being protected by the marshes and reeds. The Romans on the right flank were unable to take advantage of the Carthaginian blunders due to very poor command rolls. Seeing the inaction of the Romans, Hannibal commanded Mago to abandon the right flank entirely and bring his troops toward the center and away from the lake.
Back on the volatile left flank the fighting was fierce. In the end the Romans auxiliaries and the Roman allied Numidian were either destroyed or sent to flight. Not only was the Carthaginian left flank now secure, but it was free of the enemy and open for a quick advance and flanking maneuver Hannibal, who had held his eager but disciplined veterans back while chaos was enveloping both flanks, finally ordered the advance at the center. The Ligurian slingers, normally so reliable and formidable on the field, were of little consequence as they were scattered by the artillery and advancing Romans - and so it would be heavy infantry clashing with heavy infantry to decide the outcome. Some strong shields and decisive moves by Hannibal saw one unit of veterans supported by the valiant Spanish punch a hole through the Roman lines. These units then circled back - the veterans moving to their left and the Spanish moving to their right and attacking the rear of the Romans who were already engage, trapping them and leading to the destruction of the Romans.
The game lasted about three hours and was extremely enjoyable. We are still plagued with a very, very high number of failed command rolls during our games which is leading to some frustration for both of us. It isn't that one side gains an advantage because of this as it is happening to both of us, but we would rather not have our armies standing around doing nothing, especially when their are strategic decisions that we cannot carry out in a timely manner and so miss the opportunities. We have decided for the next game to up all of our command values by one to see if that helps.
Below are some photos for the game, I hope you enjoy them.
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| The initial deployment. |
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| The eager Romans. |
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| The Carthaginian center. The teeth of the army. |
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| Numidians holding the left flank. |
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| The left flank is bloody. |
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| One last charge by the Romans sees them destroyed. |
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| The war elephant frenzies and charges the Romans alone. |
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| The left flank battle is drawn. |
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| The heroic Spanish that stopped the Roman advance. |
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| The center of the field. |
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| Carthaginian veterans push forward. |
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| Mago Barcid surveys the battle. |
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| Libyan heavy infantry move to support the battle lines. |
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| The decisive break through the Roman center. |
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| The hole in the center is visible, allowing the Carthaginians to surround the Romans. |
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| The new Libyan infantry served well. |
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| The enemy is trapped. |
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| Finishing the job... |
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| Hannibal is pleased as he watches the victory. |
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| Romans stand against the war elephant. |
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Libyan Heavy Infantry Completed
I have spent some late nights this week finishing up this unit of Libyans for a great and mighty battle against the Romans on Saturday. I very much like how they turned out and I am looking forward to bringing them to bear against our mortal enemies. This is my first full unit of models with their weapons in the resting and upright position - I rather enjoy this look for a few units on the table plus it had the fabulous side effect that I don't have to worry so much about knocking a spear loose during a game since I was able to glue them at two points (hand and base) for added durability. All the figures are from Gripping Beast.
The Libyan heavy infantry was the backbone of Hannibal's army and this unit will be very difficult for our enemies to deal with as they have several special rules in Hail Caesar that give them some real strength:
The Libyan heavy infantry was the backbone of Hannibal's army and this unit will be very difficult for our enemies to deal with as they have several special rules in Hail Caesar that give them some real strength:
- Long Spears: Charging cavalry disordered on D6 roll of 1, 2 or 3. Charging units lose their charge bonus (except other units with long spears or pikes).
- Phalanx: Lost combats up to 2 count as draws until the unit is shaken.
- Tough Fighters: Re-roll one missed hand-to-hand combat attack.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Libyan Spearmen: WIP No.3
A productive day at home watching and listening to the baseball home opener saw me get through the painting of eight Libyan spearmen and the complete finish (touch-ups, highlights, shields and spears) of the five you see in the photo below. Our April game of Hail Caesar has been officially scheduled for the 20th, so that will give me time to get this unit completed and based properly for the battle. This is going to be a fantastic unit.
Not thirty minutes ago a package was delivered to my home from across the pond. The ancient buildings from GrandManner have arrived and all I can say is wow! I felt like a little kid ripping into that box. Look for a complete review and photos on Sunday.
Not thirty minutes ago a package was delivered to my home from across the pond. The ancient buildings from GrandManner have arrived and all I can say is wow! I felt like a little kid ripping into that box. Look for a complete review and photos on Sunday.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Libyan Spearmen: WIP No.2
Whew, what a week. The arrival of nice weather, some drama at the office, a wonderful evening with my wife at Monty Python's Spamalot and some extra time with my son all combined to bring my available painting time down below average this week. I was able to get a very nice start on the first unit of Libyans however and once I get rolling on these they seem to paint up rather quickly. I have never been much of an assembly-line painter but I continue to try to improve in this area while maintaining quality by painting these figures up in batches of eight.
On an exciting side-note, I have ordered three models of ancient buildings and houses from GrandManner. Once I get these painted they will really add to the terrain of our current ancient games. Plus, I have grand visions of making a terrain board that includes a walled ancient city... so at least this is a step in that direction.
Have a great weekend everybody and happy painting!
On an exciting side-note, I have ordered three models of ancient buildings and houses from GrandManner. Once I get these painted they will really add to the terrain of our current ancient games. Plus, I have grand visions of making a terrain board that includes a walled ancient city... so at least this is a step in that direction.
Have a great weekend everybody and happy painting!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
War Elephant of Carthage and Crew
This magnificent model from Relic Miniatures is the latest addition to the Carthaginian army. Assembly of the model was fairly straight forward, but there were lots of pieces to fuss with to get it all put together correctly. It did require a fair amount of work with liquid green-stuff to smooth the seams and close some gaps. Ears and tusks could both be easily trimmed to the desired size and length. The model is completely metal, so once assembled it is a hefty piece.
It is a mighty creature that is slightly larger than the Gripping Beast elephant already in use by the Carthaginians, but together they look great on the table and should cause significant havoc within the ranks of our enemies.
It is a mighty creature that is slightly larger than the Gripping Beast elephant already in use by the Carthaginians, but together they look great on the table and should cause significant havoc within the ranks of our enemies.
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