This Companion Cavalry (by Crusader miniatures, I think) was part of that same giant Macedonian acquisition from a number of years ago.
2 stands of 6 figures is enough for a unit with To the Strongest or my old Legio Quaternarius rules.
I painted them according to the information in the Osprey on the post Alexander Macedonians by Nicholas Sekunda.
This first group would be from the double sized "Sacred Squadron".
The second squadron is only slightly less richly attired.
The saffron yellow cloaks were a surprise to me since I last read about the Macedonian armies.
The cloaks actually had weights sewn into them so that they would drape and fall "just so"!
Evidently white tunics and/or bronze armor painted white was common for these troops.
Nice work Peter. I was thinking about Companion cavalry a couple of days ago and wondering what colours to use, and saffron wasn't one that came to mind. I suppose it makes sense as it is certainly a striking colour, and was probably as highly valued in antiquity as it is today.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly wasn't a color I would have considered either, aside from the reference!
DeleteColorful and beautiful cavalry Peter, well done!
ReplyDeleteThere's no missing them on the battlefield, that's for sure!
DeleteLovely looking cavalry units and nice shields!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain!
DeleteVery colourful mounted chaps
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary; indeed they are!
DeleteThe saffron colored capes are striking, for sure! Not something I knew either.
ReplyDeleteIt may pertain more strictly to the post Alexander Macedonians, but the author gives a number of examples of these capes from frescoes, etc.
DeleteIn any event, it will be hard to mistake them for anything else now!
lovely pastel colors used on your figures...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil. They are probably the most colorful Ancient cavalry I've ever painted! The point seemed to be to show off their wealth and power by their costume.
DeleteWait... what? Napoleon had Macedonian Companion Cavalry? This can’t be right?
ReplyDelete:P
Cheers
Kevin
Too funny, Kevin!
DeleteA great change of pace from Napoleonic Austrians to ancient Greeks....are Macedonians still considered Greeks...? Lovely paint job in any case!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think the question of Macedonians being "Greeks" is still unanswered to this day. A substantial part of Ancient Macedonia is part of Northern Greece. There is a Macedonian language. I think Alexander and his crew would have considered themselves Greek by culture but Macedonian by ethnicity.
ReplyDelete