Roman Heavy Cavalryman - late 3rd Century AD

 

This figure is the Heavy Cavalryman - late 3rd Century AD that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 130. I have added Roman to the title as Minifigs assumed we 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 30 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. I'm fairly confident of this one with its distinctive shield shape and cloak. 

I have mounted this rider onto a PBH 65-217, which is  not quite the right horse but close enough. As so often with this range we have the double saddle cloth - rider and horse each having their own

It's not clear where the source for this model comes from and, to be honest, there isn't much to distinguish this cavalryman from 1st and 2nd century versions bar the rather larger shield. I'd be happy to absorb him into the ranks of an Early Imperial Army (EIR) army, and that may indeed be his fate. 

The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome book, from which his figure derives, has a number of 3rd Century cavalry illustrations and Minifigs dutifully made a model for each. Despite that, they don't turn up often, and some I have yet to get my hands on. At the time I suspect gamers went for EIR armies or 'Late Roman' armies of the 4th and 5th centuries, and those in between went by the wayside as neither fish, fowl nor good red meat. 

British Chieftain

 

This is the British Chieftain that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 158.

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 58 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. 

The base is stamped PB 158 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Although described as a chieftain I'm sure he'd fit in the ranks as a better off warrior with a fancy shield and nice helmet. 

I've tried out a new brand of paint stripper on this fellow and, whilst much quicker than my usual 'Dettol' bath has left a bit of original paint firmly stuck to the figure. However, I don't have a pristine example, and this one is the only casting I have that has retained its sword, so we shall have to make do. 

South Gaulish Swordsman

 

This is the South Gaulish Swordsman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 56s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 56.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 56 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 56 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

As Minifigs go this is a spectacularly dynamic model, waving his sword about and running forward, cloak billowing behind him. With one foot half planted the ankles tend to be a bit weak, so this is one of those figures that is prone to snapping off the base, something not much helped by the mass of metal in that cloak.

Roman Horse Archer later 2nd Century AD

 

This figure is the Horse Archer - later 2nd Century AD that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 128. I have added Roman to the title as Minifigs took it as read we already knew this. 

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 28 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 figure is clearly drawn from that evergreen source of the Roman army Trajan's Column and is often described as an 'Eastern' or 'Syrian' horsemen. Unusually for a Minifigs horse archer he is clutching his bow to his chest rather than shooting off to the side at one of his comrades. Perhaps his mates had a word. Rather a neat little model and relatively common. Lacking spears, swords and what-not it has the advantage of being almost impossible to break. 

The horse is the PBH 65-217 Roman Cavalry Horse - 1st and 2nd Centuries AD. It's the correct contemporary offering and suffers from the double saddle cloth effect - both rider and horse having their own saddle cloth. 

Roman Heavy or Medium Cavalry of the 5th Century

 

This figure is the Heavy or Medium Cavalry, 5th Cent. (ie 5th Century)  that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 143. I have added Roman to the title as Minifigs took it as read we already knew this. 

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 43 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 is easily spotted thanks to his flouncy saddlecloth. 

I have mounted this rider onto a PBH 65-217, not quite the right horse for him but close enough. 

The enormous lance - kontos - is something to behold and must have the casters the heebie-jeebies. Survivors often lack the kontos or it may be twisted beyond all hope - it's a simple repair though using brass rod or jewelers' wire. 

Alexander the Great

 

This is the figure of Alexander the Great that appeared as part of the Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars range as PBP 1  - for 'Phil Barker Personalities'. 

The model is not taken from the book despite the code designation, but forms part of a small range of 'general' figures.

The figure appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue and the 75 catalogue under the same code. 

Like all Minifigs mounted models, he would have carried the code number on a tab between his feet. However. the figure is an easy one to spot because of his unique lion-skin head gear.

The horse is a more-or-less contemporary PBH 65-217. 

Gothic Medium Cavalry

 

This figure is the Gothic Medium Cavalry that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 199

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 99 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. 

I have mounted this chap onto a PBH 65-217 which means that we have the 'double saddlecloth' that is a common feature of this range. Both the rider and horse have a saddlecloth! The PBH horses were soon replaced by the new 'H' and 'A' series horses without saddlecloths which solved the problem. 

This is rather a generic rider and is intended to represent an Ostrogoth of the middling sort, lacking armour and armed with spear - and one presumes a few javelins to chuck when opportunity permits. 

Yes you can see the Blu-tac I've used to hold the figure on his mount - I know - mea culpa and all that. We shall try and do better next time. 

Byzantine Horse Archer

 

This figure is the Byzantine Horse Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 149.

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 49 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. 

I have mounted this chap onto a PBH 65-217 which means that we have the 'double saddlecloth' that is a common feature of this range. Both the rider and horse have a saddlecloth! The PBH horses were soon replaced by the new 'H' and 'A' series horses without saddlecloths which solved the problem. 

As usual with Minifigs horse archers our man is shooting off to the side in an unneighbourly fashion. 

Light Cavalryman. Later 1st/2nd Centuries

 

This figure is the (Roman) Light Cavalryman of the Later 1st/2nd  Centuries that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 117

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 17 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. 

I have mounted this chap onto a PBH 65-217 which means that we have the 'double saddlecloth' that is a common feature of this range. Both the rider and horse have a saddlecloth! The PBH horses were soon replaced by the new 'H' and 'A' series horses without saddlecloths which solved the problem. 

This figure has been taken from Trajan's Column along with similar infantry types and is described as having 'leather' armour. This assumption hails from a time before it was widely realised that Roman monuments were painted and mail armour represented with a paint effect rather than sculpted. In practice, Roman Auxiliary cavalry units would have worn mail armour. 

Auxiliary Light Cavalryman Early 1st Century

 

This figure is the (Roman) Auxiliary Light Cavalryman of the Early 1st Century that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 109

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 9 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. 

I have mounted this chap onto a PBH 65-217 which means we have the 'double saddlecloth' that is a common feature of this range. Both the rider and horse have a saddlecloth! The PBH horses were soon replaced by the new 'H' and 'A' series horses without saddlecloths which solved the problem. 

This is quite an energetic figure for a Minifigs cavalryman, waving his spear about like a good 'un. The examples I have all have very thin spears, but I imagine the same model appeared with a thicker version initially. 

The source for this model is a monument and the interpretation of the rider's 'tunic' as leather is probably misguided. My sense is that what is represented is mail, making this an armoured auxiliary cavalryman; however, it's a pleasing model that will serve equally well in either role.