War and Empire miniatures
As Jasper noted on our Facebook page, West Wind Productions has impeccable timing as regards their new Kickstarter project called War & Empire, a new range of 15/18mm miniatures for wargames(part of their Forged in Battle range). You can have a look at some of their painted miniatures, as well as a video, on their own Facebook page.
The size of the miniatures (15/18mm) will allow for the recreation of fairly large-scale battles. The range seems to focus largely on the last four centuries BC, with particular emphasis on the Macedonian and Punic Wars. It will include armies from a number of different peoples – namely the Carthagians, the Romans, and the Gauls – with more armies apparently on their way. The map of the ancient world on their Facebook page also includes references to armies from Numidia, Spain, Italy, Ptolemaic Egypt, the Seleucid Empire, Greece (with a separate reference to Sparta), Macedon, Thrace, Scythia, Persia, and even India. In all, they aim to release seventeen armies, as well as accompanying rulebooks.
Using these miniatures, you will be able to recreate famous conflicts from ancient history, such as the wars between Rome and Macedon and the conflicts between Rome and Carthage. You will probably also be able to recreate famous campaigns, such as the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great, the wars of Pyrrhus of Epirus, and the annexation of Gaul by Julius Caesar. Or perhaps replay some famous battles, such as those of Gaugamela (331 BC), Pydna (168 BC), or Carrhae (53 BC).
If you need some sources of inspiration, for painting or just background information, check out some issues of Ancient Warfare magazine. We have covered much of the period in detail. Some examples include the Roman conquest of Spain (issue I.4), the campaigns of Caesar (issue II.4), the wars of Alexander’s Successors (issue III.3), the Barcids at war (issue III.4), Hellenistic kingdoms at war(issue IV.6), the reforms of Marius (issue V.1), Pyrrhus of Epirus (issue VI.4), attack of the Celts (issue VI.6), and, most recently, wars in Sicily (issue VII.2).
According to the makers, historical accuracy is important in their development of the miniatures, and this is one of the reasons that Ancient Warfare magazine will be supporting their endeavours. If you haven’t checked out their pictures yet, be sure to do so. We will be sharing some of their stuff on our own Facebook page as well, and will keep you posted on the progress of their Kickstarter. If all goes according to plan, the Kickstarter will go live this Wednesday, 20 November.
