Roman Princeps or Triarius

 

This is the Roman Princeps or Triarius that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 40s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 40.

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is a composite of illustrations 40 and 41 of AMPW - hence there is no code PB 41 in the range. 

As always the 's' designation indicates the figure is designed to the then new 25mm size. The designation - standing for 'special' - was dropped once Minifigs had upgraded their entire range to the new size from the previous, smaller, 1/72nd scale. 

The code number is stamped on the base in the standard fashion - this example is actually stamped PB 40s , which would suggest it comes from an early production batch. 

The figure carries the earlier, rather thick style of spear. Later castings would be favoured with a finer weapon that is prone to breaking. 

Rolling together the Princeps and Triarius is rather an odd thing to do considering that the Triarii were the veteran corps of citizens and likely to be the best armed and equipped of the whole army. This chap has only his shield to hide behind and possibly a chest plate obscured by the shield. It's a shame Minifigs never produced a spear-armed and armoured model, nor a pilum-armed and unarmoured version, which would have introduced a little variety into the range.