The Assyrians were among the first armies to use cavalry effectively, although the status arm remained the Chariotry. I felt my Assyrian army needed some more heavy Cavalry. I was pretty sure I had a couple of packs of Foundry Assyrian Heavy Cavalry, purchased from the odds and ends bin of a vendor at Historicon more than 10 years ago, buried in the lead pile somewhere. And so it was!
These Foundry figures still stack up very well against more recent sculpts.
I chose a light green and dusty red color scheme for this unit, with some off white accents.
The dark magic wash worked very well to pick out the detailing of these Perry sculpted troops.
They will make a nice addition to the forces of Assyria. The capitol of the later Assyrian empire was at Nineveh, on the Tigris river... opposite the modern day city of Mosul, the scene of continued intense fighting in Iraq. At its peak, from about 700 to 627 BC, it is thought to have been the largest city in the world, with a population o up to 150,00 persons.
Excellent and inspired work. I know what you mean about Mosul. Having visited the "Cradle of Humanity" I am convinced we have pooped the bed....
ReplyDeleteJake, you visited Ninevah while stationed in Iraq? You really must share photos some time.
DeleteNineveh is listed as one of the most endangered human heritage sites, between the fighting there for the past 15 years, the depredations of ISIS, and the poor condition of the dam upstream on the Tigris. It is sad that it is now perhaps somewhat fortunate today that the site was plundered by the early discovers of the lost city in the 1800's, so that something of it will survive.
DeleteSaved from complete destruction by earlier plundering. How ironic!
DeleteNo I went to Mosul. I also visited Iskandaria which was the city founded by Alexander. Can't say we were in a position to take pictures at the time though....
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ReplyDeleteWhat a serendipitous post, Peter! I pulled eight of these Foundry Assyrian cavalry from The Lead Pile last night to begin the cleaning process. Foundry Assyrians are nicely sculpted indeed and I look forward to tackling my first cavalry unit. I did not know Perry made ancient Assyrians. I must go have a look now...
DeleteAs for Ninevah, such a tragedy. Wonder what will be left for viewing after the conflict ends?
I meant that I was fairly sure that these Foundry figures are Perry sculpts, form their years there. Ninervrh is a tragedy, just as Palmyra was. The surviving Assyrian peoples, ironically, are an Eastern Christian sect, and have long faced persecution.
DeleteAh, yes! Perry sculpts by Foundry. Perfectly sensible.
DeleteExcellent set of figures
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary!
DeleteThey look the part, great work Peter!
ReplyDeleteNot as fine as your painting, but I was happy with how they turned out.
DeleteWhat a nice job Peter, very impressive heavy cavalry!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Phil!
DeleteLovely looking assyrian cavalry, dynamic enough and nicely painted.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Ian; glad you liked them!
DeleteWhat a fantastic looking unit. Between these cavalry and Jon Freitag's refurbished chariots, Assyrians are looking very sexy indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael. Speaking of Chariots... I have four more of the 4-Horse Chariots of my own nearly finished... Hinchliffe models in my case. Stay tuned...
DeleteReally sharp-looking unit. One of my favorites of your recent posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Those old Foundry figures are still top notch, but I seldom buy new Foundry figures now days as the price is too rich for my blood!
DeleteLovely looking figures and paint-job Peter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence!
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