The Rhoxolani were a Sarmatian people that migrated toward what is
now the Baragan steppes in Romania . The historian Strabo described them as nomads. The Rhoxolani were defeated by general Diophantus
in Mithradates' Crimean campaign and subsequently came over to fight with the Pontics against Rome . There is a small mention of
100 Sarmation cavalry distinguishing themselves in the First Mithridatic campaign.
These horsemen wore scale armor made of metal or horn and fought
with a long two-handed lance. It's worth mentioning that they must have been great horsemen to ride a galloping horse with (a) no hands leaning over to one side with a two handed lance (b) no stirrups (c) you and the horse each with armor. They were fierce in combat and impact. Thus, in Impetus, they're rated as Impetuous and throw 9 dice on impact. That fistful is almost what you'd throw as later period Knights.
Figures by Khurasan Miniatures. I'd gladly buy Khurasan minis again but I've been spoiled by Essex and Old Glory when it comes to horse figures. These are very lively poses and the scale armor is well done. After all, scale armor is what it's about when it comes to painting the Rhoxolani!
Let's wrap up with some artwork for inspiration. Now, which way do I point the sharp end?
Really impressive and colorful!
ReplyDeleteYour skills as a painter continue to amaze me!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! Now I just need to get these fellows on a tabletop and let them go to town.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! The Cataphracts are especially good!
ReplyDeleteVery nice looking units !
ReplyDeletebest regard Michael
Lovely painting! The primary colour combinations stand out beautifully. I particularly like that green you use. What is the paint, if you don't mind my asking?
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Aaron
Thanks Pru! Color combo is a tricky business with ancients.
ReplyDeleteThat color is Vallejo Game Color Foul Green. Yes, I have a mix of Vallejo Model Colr and Game Color.
Very nice work. I've been painting up a 15mm Sarmatian army for FoG, using Donnington figures. I've got another 60 lancers to paint up, but there's no rush for them as I can already field over 800 points with ease.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin! I've been following your blog and wow, you've painted a LOT of horse. I've never painted Donnington but both of your armies look very nice. And thanks for joining!
ReplyDeleteThanks - it's been a long, hard haul getting them done. I'm shocked that I wasn't already following this blog. I guess I must have missed the link when you joined mine.
DeleteDonnington are very nice sculpts although they do sometimes need a lot of clean-up at the prep stage.