Friday, March 13, 2015

Crusader Minis - Roman Arena Officials

Here are three of the figures from the pack - still need to paint the "Charon" figure. The guy in the center is supposed to represent Mercury - the fleet-footed messenger; although the cuirass would seem to slow him down.
I'm not quite sure what their official functions were - particularly where the guys they were "officiating" had nothing to lose if they disagreed with their "play calls." I wonder if they were former fighters themselves.
Whatever their actual duties were, they are clearly depicted in many period mosaics, as the one below.
A few days ago I posted on the NHMGS FaceBook asking if anyone had played the old Avalon Hill Alesia game. Immediately, one of the long time members, Jim D., said he had, and offered to let me borrow his set. I picked it up from him today on my day off - his too ;).  Everything is in excellent condition and I hope to try it out and see if it can be converted using 2mm figures.

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23 comments:

  1. Ray RousellMarch 14, 2015 at 12:06 AM

    Great looking figures Dean!

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 8:19 AM

      Thanks, Ray. Crusader minis are some of the best 28mm to paint up. Regards, Dean

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  2. Black PowderMarch 14, 2015 at 12:19 AM

    Great looking arena officials - I guess a whack with a stick works better on gladiators than the modern sports whistle:0)

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 8:20 AM

      Thanks, Soren. I dunno - sticks vs. sica and tridents - might be dangerous ;) Regards, Dean

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  3. ScottswargamingMarch 14, 2015 at 2:44 AM

    Great work.. and nice to see you return to the 'correct' scale ;-)

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 8:21 AM

      Lol! Thanks, Scott. Yes, the 2mm stuff is mainly for a gaming scenario which in 28mm would be way too big and involve way more figures than I'd be willing to paint up. Warm regards, Dean

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  4. CalibanMarch 14, 2015 at 3:40 AM

    Lovely looking imperial flunkies. Congrats on getting hold of Alesia too - haven't seen that in a while...

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 8:23 AM

      Thank you much! Yes, I'm surprised the game is such good condition, considering it's been out of productions for a couple of decades. I've never played a board game-proper, so this will be interesting. Best, Dean

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  5. HetairoiMarch 14, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    Great figures!!

    Contrary to what one might think, the fighting between gladiators were subject to certain rules, and their enforcement was supervised by a couple of judges: a referee (summa rudis) and his assistant (secunda rudis).

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 8:26 AM

      Thanks for the clarification - makes sense since some gladiators actually were free-men who became such. Hard to fathom facing physical death every time you went to work! Warm regards, Dean

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  6. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)March 14, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    These look great Dean!

    Christopher

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 9:23 AM

      Thanks, Christopher! I need to finish up with the last Retiari and Charon guy. Warm regards, Dean

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  7. KlingulaMarch 14, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    nice characters 8)

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 10:19 AM

      Thank you much for stopping by and posting the kind words! Regards, Dean

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  8. BigRedBatMarch 14, 2015 at 10:33 AM

    Very nice Dean! I have always meant to buy that set, myself, because those arena officials look very useful for Roman civilian roles, or baggage train or whatnot.

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 11:49 AM

      Thanks, Simon. These are really nice and useful figs. Regards, Dean

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  9. Jonathan FreitagMarch 14, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Nifty figures. Do you plan to use them in your gladiatorial combat games?

    Caesar at Alesia...that is an oldie but a goodie. I recall it having hidden movement. Are you planning solo play or FtF and do you plan to use the gameboard with your 2mm figures?

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 11:54 AM

      Thanks, Jonathan. Not exactly sure how they'll be used, but they could be moved randomly with direction die rolls. This would inhibit movement. As far as the board game, I plan to call on a buddy with some prior experience with this kind of game. Best, Dean

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  10. RogMarch 14, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    Hail Dean! :) Another extremely enjoyable Roman themed post! Here´s a little nothing for you, I hope you enjoy it : http://www.360portugal.com/Distritos.QTVR/Coimbra.VR/Conimbriga/ Warm regards!

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 11:55 AM

      Thanks for the visit and link. Warm regards, Dean

      Delete
  11. CyrusMarch 14, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    Great job on the arena officials Dean. The Alesia game looks interesting.

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    1. DeanMMarch 14, 2015 at 8:15 PM

      Thanks, Mike! Appreciate the visit and kind words. Best, Dean

      Delete
  12. Simon Quinton March 15, 2015 at 3:23 AM

    Very nice, I really like your whites nice and smooth.

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