Ptolomy Egyptian Pike

Another 'phalanx' of Egyptian pike, levy recruits brought in to serve the Ptolomy.  This one is 3 of 4 units of 48 figures, they will look impressive on the table.

Again the Xyston figures are a mixture of Greek light foot and unarmoured hoplites.

XMas Raphia Update

So working away over Christmas, missing the family but got plenty of time to continue to paint my Raphia project.

Seleucid reinforcements in this batch.

Seleucid Generals and standard bearers.

Seleucid pikemen, one of 9 pike units in the Seleucid army.

Heavy Cavalry with lance, the strike force of the army.

A second unit of Hessallenic Thracians acting as the Thorakitai.

 I do like these figures.

The first unit of Arab javelinmen.  The figures are actually Xystom Maccabean foot but they fit in very well

The painting continues and by years end I will total up what I have painted for the project so far.

Raphia Project Update

The first batch of this rotations painting.  I do not plan what i will paint and when I just use a 'lucky dip' method.  Everything for the project goes in a box, in unit bags, and I choose a bag blind and paint what ends up in my hand.

First up was a batch of Selecuid mounted generals, these 7 figures will make 3 command bases.

These guys are Hellenistic Thracians equipped with thearos and long spear.

 I will be using these to represent the Selecuid Thorakitai.  I know they should have chainmail armour but Xyston do  not make that figure yet.  So until they do these guys will do.

The first of many elephants, this is for the Ptolomy army as it is an African elephant.

 This model is actually a Carthaginian elephant, from Xyston as usual, which I picked up in the North Star Xyston sell off.  All I have done is replace the hadow crew with more suitable figures.

I thought I needed 7 Ptolomy elephants and I manged to buy 6 in the sale, however it was pointed out to me that an elephant base is standard 80mm frontage and I could have two elephants per base. So me being me I know need 14 Ptolomy elephants and 20 Seleucid, who could resist the sight of 34 elephants on wargame's table :-)

Raphia-The Numbers

So I did a little number crunching on how many figures my Raphia project will end up swallowing.

This was prompted by a large order I sent to North Star Military Figures as they had a great sale on Xyston figures, thanks Neil.

So the numbers....

Selecuid

21 Mounted Command

10 Foot Command

10 Elephants

64 Horse

594 Foot

Ptolemy

17 Mounted Command

10 Foot Command

7 Elephants

52 Horse

648 Foot

All in 15mm Xyston metal......now that is a small project to be getting on with.

Over the past 3 weeks I have painted 160 foot and 14 horse to add to the painted forces I have at home.

Although I am basing the figures once home I am not doing the sanding/flocking until they are all ready, oh I HATE basing!!

Raphia-Selecuid Thureophoroi

This is the last unit of Daae/Carmanian/Cilician Thureophoroi who were led by Byttacus of Macedon.  

There were three units under his command.

These are all Xyston....

Raphia-Selecuid Thracian Light Horse

More work in  progress of my epic aim to build both armies of the Battle of Raphia.

These are two units of Thracian light horse, although the lists I have make no reference to the light horse being Thracian, they do have Thracian foot so why not.....

I have given these the reported black/dark cloaks that they were said to wear in the later periods.

Raphia-Seleucid Hetairoi Companion Cavalry

  Companion style cavalry for the Seleucid army.  

I really do like Xyston miniatures, even though you have to drill the hands.  They paint up very well and look very nice, in my opinion, even with my basic painting style.