The Black Legion of the REPUBLIC…

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

I find humor in the fact that Carojon and I were both working on Romans with black shields at the same time (see Carojon’s excellent work here: https://www.thewargameswebsite.com/forums/topic/roman-legionary-cohort/ ). Now, my Black Legion would predate his by 300 years but in my mind they’re the same legion… ancient imaginations, anyone? I’m sure there’s an interesting unit history to be written here.

Two stands of Victrix figures. I’m going to use these as hastati. Another two stands will be principes and then one stand will be spear armed for triarii. Based for Impetus. All will have variations of black shields and plumes.

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

[Darkest Star Games]

I think it’s quite cool that you’re doing the timeline link, and these are some pretty serious looking dudes that also look quite good.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Hafen von Schlockenberg]

I find humor in the fact that I was half-hoping for a game of the Bogart film.

This Black Legion looks plenty mean too, though — I’m tempted!

[Cerdic]

Cool. Now someone has to do the Black Legion in Marian/Caesarian mail…

http://28mmreview.blogspot.co.uk

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

Exactly one month after the hastati the principes of the Black Legion arrive.

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

[Darkest Star Games]

Look great!

Dumb question: is principe pronounced like Prince, or like Break with a P?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[A Lot of Gaul]

One princeps, two or more principes. In Classical Latin, pronounced: prin.keps, prin.kepās. In modern English, pronounced: prinˌseps, prin(t)səˌpēz.

"Ventosa viri restabit." ~ Harry Field

[Darkest Star Games]

Many thanks!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[vtsaogames]

I painted some crude yellow devices on the red shields of my old 1/72 Hat Romans. I gather it would be more correct to just paint their shields solid red?

I have another DBA force in solid blue shields if we ever do a Roman civil war.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood

[Alexander Hay-Whitton]

When there’s solid evidence about shield faces, it usually indicates designs. I really don’t find it easy to believe the plain shields idea (I admit I don’t want to believe it either).

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

I tend to go with plainer shields mostly because I hate painting shield designs and I’ve never been very happy with my ability to apply decals. For this particular unit of five stands I wanted the shield designs to get more complex as I go from hastati to principes to triarii but still reflect a consistent color palette. I don’t suppose we will ever really know how consistently and in what colors legionary shields were decorated.

As for red shields… why not? I’ve read that red was a popular color in Sparta and among Hellenistic mercenaries to denote professionalism. And, I believe Roman commanders typically wore a red cloak as a symbol of authority.  Did this extend to Roman shields? Seems logical but I guess the modern conceit of red Roman shields probably comes from early Hollywood productions.

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

And finally, the triarii in red(ish) tunics and fancier shields to denote their greater experience:

A few close ups:

It’s so unusual for me to complete anything before flitting off to another project. I’m chuffed! The entire of the Black Legion (This is the Victrix boxed set ‘Legions of the Republic II’ — minus one lone figure):

Now it’s off to paint Carthaginians….

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

[Iain Fuller]

Lovely job and great to see the completely finished unit with their mates.

[Steve Burt]

We know that different legions had different shield devices, but we don’t know what they were.

Some battle accounts (I think Polybius’ one of Trebbia) mention the Carthaginians realising the other consul had turned up because they saw new shield designs.

I wonder if that was ever used for deceptive purposes?

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

FINALLY!! Some Carthaginians to oppose the Black Legion. These are Punic veterans in appropriated Roman armor. I suspect the vets would not have been segregated from the rest of the Punic soldiers in more traditional Greek style armor. But I wanted to be able to field earlier Punic forces which probably would not have had soldiers in Roman lorica hamata. So… separate units it is. This is my first experience using the popular scenic ‘tufts’. These are from The Army Painter. I’ve used them sparingly but I like the variation they give my vegetation.

Anyhoo… 21 Carthaginian vets done. Twenty-one linothorax wearers to go.

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

Finished up the Punic troops this morning. The last three stands are, of course, Victrix.

And then some shots of the full Carthaginian army. I’ve got about an equal number (if not more) of Gauls. I think I need to get cracking on some Italian Allies for the legions of Roma. Or maybe play a game… there’s a thought.

 

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

[Volunteer]

These armies are awesome Jeff! The painting is very good. The Punic wars was always my favorite ancients period. Now you need Gauls and Iberians, if you haven’t already done them.

"Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing"
Wernher von Braun

[Autodidact-O-Saurus]

Thanks, Vol.

These have taken a bit of a back seat lately. I got sidetracked by the Black Sails ships and then my long neglected F&I War stuff. I’ve got LOTS of Gauls, very few Iberians, though. Next up are going to be some Italian allies which should bring the Romans up to parity. When the COVID stay-at-home orders hit I figured I’d finally get a chance to run ‘To the Strongest’ since, being grid based, it should be fairly easy to do with remote cameras. Still haven’t attempted it!

Self taught, persistently behind the times, never up to date. AKA ~ jeff
More verbosity: http://petiteguerre.blogspot.com/

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