Material: |
Scale: |
Unpainted Plastic |
60mm (about 2 3/8 inches high) |
The set contains 8 model soldiers plus 2 horse models: 2 mounted and 2 foot chieftains plus 4 unarmoured warriors in tunics. The heads and arms are inter-changeable to permit permutation of various action postures. Various extra heads, arms and accessories are provided to allow for the assembly of officers, champions (axemen), standard-bearers and horn-blowers.
The standard bearer wears an animal head as was common among many ancient tribal people. This probably had superstitious significance or could simply be a mark of a ferocious warrior. We have chosen a wild boar head for this purpose. The unique shape of the horn suggests it is either the horn of an oxen or similar.
The Germanic tribes fought against both the Romans and the Celts. Many of them also served with the Roman army as Barbarian Symmachiarii units (symmachiarii = sympathizers, or allies). These were auxiliary units but are not equipped or trained in Roman methods. The famous exploits of the Germans include the wanderings of the Cimbri, the defeat of the Romans at Teutoburger Wald by Arminius of the Cherusci; and the Civilis Rebellion of the Batavi.
The Germans were weak numerically in cavalry and Suebians, at least, often supplemented the ranks of their cavalry with runners who would run alongside the horsemen and join in the melee with the enemy. In rapid movement, these runners would hold on to the mane or tails of the horses to keep pace.
Although it will take you about 3 minutes per figure to assemble these warriors, the resulting model will blow you away with its detail, dimensionality and fluidity of motion. (Use "Gorilla" Super Glue.)