Parthian Horse Archer

 

This figure is the Parthian Horse Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 167.

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 67 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. 

Cavalry models carried the code number on a tag - long since removed - which can make identification a little harder in some cases. This chap has the characteristic crossed over tunic style together with a headband, which marks him out as a Parthian. 

The horse is PBH 221 and once again we have the classic 'double saddlecloth' where both rider and horse have a saddlecloth. The earlier 'S' range horses and later 'A' and 'H' series of horses all lack saddlecloths and make a good alternative. 

This is the classic Minifigs horse archer pose - I rather like it because you can plainly see what the figure is - it's a horse archer. End of story. It tends to look a little odd in formed units where each man appears to be shooting his neighbour, but such was the way.