Asiatic Archer (2)

This is the Asiatic Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 120. Note that both this code and PB 119 have the same description: Asiatic Archer (actually Asiatic Archers for some reason).

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 20 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 120 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This is an unusual and rather attractive pose for a Minifigs archer. Note the extreme length of the arrow compared to the rather modest length of the quiver! 

As with PB 119 this model represents a Syrian or Levantine auxiliary archer and is clearly inspired by depictions of archers on Trajan's column. 

 

Scots/Irish Chieftain

This is the Scots/Irish Chieftain that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 187.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 87 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 187 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

He is quite a dymanic type for Minifigs! 

 

Barbarian Symmachiarius

This is the Barbarian Symmachiarius that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 121.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 21 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 121 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Symmachiarii are allied irregular units fighting on behalf of the Romans and usually armed with their own weapons - they are frequently shown armed with nothing but clubs although this chap has a javelin and what looks like a Roman shield.  He would typically be a German or Gaul. 

As usual with these figures there is a 'thin' and 'thick' javelin version - the thin ones tend to break very easily. This is one of the thickies. 

 

Upper Class Saxon Warrior

This is the Upper Class Saxon Warrior that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 192. 

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 92 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 192 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The description of this chap does suggest a Marxist evocation of the class struggle that is rarely a feature of our wargames. It's quite a plain figure - perhaps his lack of expensive, flashy equipment reflects aristocratic good taste. 

 

Frankish Infantryman with Sword

This is the Frankish Infantryman with Sword that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 197.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 97 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 197 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

 

Roman Legionarius, later 2nd/ early 3rd Centuries Ad

This is the Legionarius, later 2nd/early 3rd Cent. AD (i.e Century) that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 123. I have added 'Roman' to the title for clarification - Minifigs took it for granted that we already knew. 

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 23 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 123 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

AEIR tends to draw its main inspiration for later legionaries from monuments - and given the paucity of other evidence at the time it was written that is understandable. This one is taken from the column of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD), whilst the spear armament follows Arrian who describes legionaries mixing ranks of spears and pila. Minifigs only made the spear - following the illustration.

I don't have an entirely unpainted example - but this chap has only his base painted green and I'm sure that will do just as well. Now why would anyone begin painting a figure by painting the base... no undercoat either! 

 

Centurio of Legio XX Valeria

This is the Centurio of Legio XX Valeria that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 106.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 6 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 106 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Rather like the PB 107 this figure is derived from a funerary monument and is more suitably armed for the parade ground than the battlefield. I don't fancy his chances against the barbarian hordes with that vine stick.

 

Roman Standard Bearer 1st/2nd Centuries AD

This is the Standard Bearer, 1st/2nd Centuries AD that appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 116. I have added 'Roman' to the title for clarification. 

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure appears to have been taken from illustration 16 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 116 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The model comes with open hands - the upper hand is a ring arrangement as you can see on the photos. Six different separate standards were available - this one is an Imago (116a)

The complete list of standards is:

116a Imago - carried by 1st Legionary Cohort and Auxiliary Cohorts.

116b Praetorian Standard

116c Signum - typical legionary type standard

116d Vexillum - for a mounted unit - don't know what we were supposed to do with this one! 

116e Vexillum - for a legionary detachment

116f Eagle - one carried by each Legion

All standards cost 3p each in 1972. 

 

Roman Cavalryman

This figure is the 'S' range Roman Cavalryman coded ARC 1s in the 72/73 catalogue, and presumably the same figure coded ARC 1 in the 70/71 catalogue and described as 'S' range. All the 'ancients' in this first 'S' range are coded 'A' for ancients - so Ancient Roman Cavalryman 1.

I've mounted him onto the ACH 5s - Ancient Cavalry Horse Trotting according to the 72/73 catalogue. It's a very generic beast that lacks any tack front and back - but I seem to have rather a lot of them.

Overall, this is quite a nice little figure that would serve happily as a late Republican or early Empire cavalryman.

 

Roman Light Infantryman, later 1st/2nd Century AD

 

This is the Light Infantryman, later 1st/2nd Cent. AD (i.e Century) that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 118. I have added 'Roman' to the title for clarification - Minifigs took it for granted that we already knew. 

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 18 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 118 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The figure is obviously based on the auxiliary infantry on Trajan's column, although the interpretation of Auxiliaries as 'light infantry' is certainly incorrect. Roman statuary was painted and mail armour represented in this way rather than carved. The prototype of our man would likely have worn mail or scale armour and not the fabled 'leather jerkin' beloved of film and TV.

I've always had a particular horror of this pose. What is he doing exactly. Whatever it is, he is certainly doing it very vigorously. Units of these chaps do appear to be engaged in some kind of synchronised balletic routine. One thing in its favour: it converts very nicely into a slinger.

Pictish Chieftain

This is the Pictish Chieftain that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 179.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 79 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 179 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

 

Roman Standard Bearer of the 4th and 5th Centuries AD

This is the Standard Bearer of the 4th and 5th Centuries AD that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 139. I have added 'Roman' to the title just to be clear - perhaps Minifigs felt the title was plenty long enough without.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 39 in the first edition of AEIR with the addition of the Draco standard.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 139 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

 

Asiatic Archer

 

This is the Asiatic Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 119.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 19 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 119 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This is one of two 'Asiatic' archer models in this range and both are clearly based on representations on Trajan's Column. They depict Syrian - or other Levantine - troops, so the term 'Asiatic' is a little vague to put it mildly.  

It's a standard Minifigs archer pose and nothing wrong with that. You only have to glance at these fellows to know what they are about, and what more can we reasonably ask of a wargames figure? 

Centurio of Legion XI Claudia

This is the Centurio of Legion XI Claudia that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 107.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 7 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 107 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The figure is a composite of funerary monuments and shows a Centurion as he might have appeared strolling about camp with his vine staff badge of office in hand, medals on show, and cloak deftly arranged over his arm in a manner suggestive of a toga. He'd be very brave to face the enemy looking like this - Centurions were fighting men and almost certainly armed as those under their command. 

 

Dacian Infantryman with Rhomphaia

This is the Dacian Infantryman with Rhomphaia that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 170.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 70 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 170 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The weapon this chap is waving about is usually termed a 'falx' (latin for 'sickle') but Minifigs followed the identification of the same weapon as equivalent to the 'rhomphaia'. Either way - it's a heavy-bladed weapon ideal for smashing through Roman armour and helmets. 

 

Saxon Chieftain

This is the Saxon Chieftain that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 191.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 91 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101, and so on.

The base is stamped PB 191 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The description in AEIR gives this fellow javelins in addition to the long spear - perhaps to much for the casting technology of the time to bear! 

 

Roman Cornicer

This is the Cornicer that appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 114 - the fact that he's Roman is taken as read but I have added it to the title for the sake of clarity. 

This figure may have been a carry over from the earlier 'S' range AR code because it is not obviously derived from the equivalent illustration 14 in the first edition of Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome - which lacks a cingulum and has a rather different cornu that is supported rather differently over the right shoulder. Pleased to hear from anyone who has the AR version to compare it with. 

Unlike most other models in this range there is no code number on the base (at least not on the examples I have). 

I just took the two pics of this chap - front and back - which does the job.