CARTHAGE IS HERE

Here is an awesome documentary on Ancient Carthaginian technology. It shows how the ancient Carthaginians were a match for anything the ancient world had, furthurmore that they truly deserve thier place among the great civilizations and cultures of all time.

Ahhhh I have been gone for some time in Miami and have not had time enough to paint and keep up with my blogs. will all change now:)

I also broke my digital camera and have just yesterday purchased a replacement.

I am almost finished with my Macedonians I have been painting.

almost done

I've done more work on these minis, but school is keeping me from finishing, hopefully they will be done soon.

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry macedonians and thracians)

The Painting Process

These are some minis I began to paint over the labor day weekend. They are all Foundry 28mm Macedonians and Thracians. They are far from complete... hopefuly I will be able to finish them soon. :-)

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry macedonians and thracians)

9-11

God Bless America!!

God bless our troops overseas!!!

Democratic will to fight

The small fiercely independent city states of Ancient Greece, had mostly evolved from local monarchies that had been overthrown. Once the Greeks had achieved Independence, through militaristic action, they were all extremely martial. The Greeks were viciously militaristic, first out of necessity to survive, then out of lust for glory and to maintain a sense of security. Like the Ancient Greeks the early American colonists first fought to survive, then many years later to expand and to further our own influence and power. The Democratic Americans defeated the greatest nation on the planet though determination and purpose; the classical Greeks defeated the Persian Empire which was the greatest nation of the day through the same determination and cleverness as the early Americans had done.

In later years the Athenians, as well as the Spartans, were rather "gung ho" to dive head long into the Peloponnesian war. Just as the Union and confederate armies were eager to tare each other apart, in the American civil war. Does democracy in it self make people fond of conflict?

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry greek miniatures)

Medieval Mycenaeans

The Mycenaeans were the Greeks who inhabited Greece at the time of the Trojan war; they were a warlike people persistently preparing for war and battle. Their cities were massive fortresses with unbelievably thick walls. For over 300 (roughly from 1500B.C-1100B.C) hundred years this citadel dwelling warrior society dominated Greece and eastern Anatolia. The warrior aristocracy fought in plate bronze armour, much as the medieval knights. Society was organized into fifes (counties, provinces) around the massive citadels (picture # 4 remains of the Mycenaean Citadel of Tiryns walls).

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry greeks miniatures)

The Classical Warrior

Classical Greece, which lasted roughly from just 500B.C to 336 B.C, was responsible for many of the beginnings of Western civilization. Modern philosophy, astronomy, art, warfare, mathematics, rhetoric, language, history, and all the sciences owe a great deal to classical Greek influence. Why did all this happen in a period lasting little over a hundred and fifty years? One word, Democracy and meritocracy... O.K that was two words.

These are the same reasons that the United States has succeeded. The political and social rights that the common people have, is directly linked to the Political and social success of the society. If a man knows he has no stake in a society, he will not want to contribute to it; he will be selfish. However, if one knows that with a little hard work and determination their voice will be heard; moreover they can even become part of the ruling class, they WILL be more motivated. A society with the most motivated people running it WILL be more successful. The economic, cultural, and intellectual components of a society will be hyper successful, when the persons with the most merit achieve the highest positions.

The more so this is true, the more successful.

Republic!

These are some pics of my 28mm Republican Romans.

The army of the early-mid Roman Republic was responsible for most of the conquest, and growth that the Empire maintained. The Republics armies had major differences from the Imperial Roman army. It was comprised of a citizen army, not a professional army. Furthermore, the equipment was not standardized till the time of Marius in the late Republic. The Republican Romans were also drawn into five warrior classes based on wealth, Velites (pic#6 skirmishers, also the youngest and poorest ) Hastati ( pic#3 &7 light infantrymen, the lower middle class, young men who fought in the first rank), Principes (pic# 1&2 medium infantrymen, men in the prime of life, they had better armour, and were a bit more wealthy than the Hastati), Triari (pic #4 heavy infantrymen, who fought with a spear opposed to a javelin used by the other ranks; these were also the old wealthy veterans, who could afford the best armour), and the Equites or knights (pic# 5 these were the highest social class of plebs who could afford a horse and maintain it on campaign),

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry republican roman miniatures)

Egyptian army

This is my 28mm New Kingdom Egyptian Army, ever since I saw the Ten Commandments (with Charlton Heston) as a child I have had a love of chariots. They were the super weapon of the late bronze age and any respectable army would have had a considerable number of them. The great Hittite, Babylonian, Mitannian Empires were the contemporaries of the Egyptians of the late bronze age; they all had their own distinct designs and functions. The Egyptian light chariot, has to be my favorite, it sleek, fast, and extremely deadly.
The ancient Egyptians created arguably the most stable, long lasting, unchanging, and distinct cultures in history. This culture was built around a vast pantheon of animal/human gods. Some historians and modern people believe that the ancients were ignorant and dim-witted people compared to today's people. I believe that the ancients were just as intelligent as today's people; the fact remains that for well over 2,000 years this advanced civilization worshiped and believed in falcon headed people, hippo-headed ladies. I believe this may have had to do with either habitual and routine use of drugs by individuals in Egyptian society; or demonic worship... or is that too strange? Nevertheless, I believe there is more to the story of the Egyptians worshiping and maintaining belief for over 2,000 years in thier strange Gods.

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry egyptian miniatures)

Late Republic, America today

I have often wondered if the modern day United States is traveling down the path that the Later Republican Romans were headed down. The late Republic had achieved Hegemony (supremacy, leading role ) in the whole western world after defeating Carthage, Gaul, and Alexander's successors in the east. America has achieved hegemony after Europe was weakened during two world wars, and Russia was economically crushed during the cold war. But today, like our Roman counterparts, we have some of the weakest and most unfocused leadership that we have ever had. Conservatives believe that the leadership has socially and economically betrayed it's base, and secular socialist as well as liberals feel that they have not seen the country move into the direction they want as fast. The senate approval, as in ancient Rome, has plummeted. Americans, as well as the ancient Romans, feel that our leaders have become detached from the common people, and will further their own goals no matter who is voted in. Are we at a pivotal changing point, as our Republican Roman predecessors were?

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry republican roman)

Ancient worldz Thracians

Thracians were one of the oldest eastern Europeans peoples, to inhabit that area. They were fierce warriors, and were known for their metal work and light infantry mercenaries.

Herodotus describes the Thracians "They went to the war wearing the skins of foxes upon their heads, and about their bodies tunics, over which was thrown a long cloak of many colours. Their legs and feet were clad in buskins made from the skins of fawns; and they had for arms javelins, with light targes, and short dirks. This people, after crossing into Asia, took the name of Bithynians"

The Bithynians settled in the City of Byzantium, which would one day become Constantinople (after the Roman Emperor Constantine). The Thracians would found the city that would one day become the capital of the Roman Empire(along with Greeks), and eventually the Byzantine Empire ( Rome's surviving half in the East).

What greater legacy could a people leave than creating the city that would become the seat of the greatest Empire of the time.

They were eventually run over by successive waves of Macedonians, Dacians, Sarmatians and Slavs

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry thracians)