Hey Now, Scythians Coming!

The Scythians were yet another nomadic tribe that served in the Pontic army. Known for their prowess on horseback and with the bow, they frequently raided the Greek city states on the Black Sea. The Kingdom of Bosphorus requested Pontic intervention to deal with their Scythian neighbors.  Not one to let an opportunity to expand slip by, Mithridates sent his navy, army, and general Diaophantus to subdue them.  The Scythians eventually agreed to become allies of Pontus as did Bosphorus.  With this pacification campaign complete, Mithridates enjoyed "almost inexhaustible supplies of men, grain, gold and raw materials."  Adrienne Mayor, "The Poison King." And  Mithridates would need every bit of it to go toe to toe with Rome.  

Figures by Xyston.  I was liberal with color selection but truthfully, if the Scythians of 88 BC were still dressing like it was 400 BC, I didn't do them justice.  I was working under the assumption that by 88 BC, they'd progressed past their "Liberace" phase.

Last of the Scythians.  Good with a piano, better with a compound bow!

Rhoxolani

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?  

Brush never sleeps

Work has been crazy lately but no matter how bad the day, once I sit down and paint, my problems and stress fade away. Or shrink to approximately 15mm in size!  I make it a point to try to paint almost every day and with that habit, I've managed to paint more than 578 figures year to date. On the rare occasion that painting doesn't lower my stress quickly enough, there's always a good craft beer to finish the job!

As a blogger, I worry that a week will come and I'll be too busy or too uninspired to come up with an article.  I  keep  a couple of posts "in the can" so to speak and on a tough week, I'm glad to have backup material.  With the oh so short Minnesota summer, I need to let my paintbrushes rest.  I need to get up from the table, go outside and do things like take a hike, go to the lake, go on summer vacation and make a trip to NY for work!  Not to worry as I have a large backlog of painted figures to post in the months ahead.

Lastly, I'd like to take a minute share an updated picture of my workspace.

December 2011:

May 2012: 

For my birthday, my wife bought me a lovely painting carousel that I've almost managed to fill. I keep my paints sorted based on color and shade so I can easily do 2 or 3-tone highlighting.  I also grabbed another 3 tray box to hide all my hobby stuff. I have a small red moleskin notebook for recording hobby and article ideas.  The trick for me is to take it everywhere, including work.  Leaving it on the nightstand next to my bed was not working.  Now it travels with me, I've been putting it to good use. Want proof?  I'll share one of my ideas.

Painting Scutarii last month made me think about the Roman silver mines in Hispania.  For Field of Glory, I need to make some impassible terrain and then I thought, what's more impassible than an open pit silver mine?  I haven't put down my paint brush long enough to make terrain but one day soon, right after I finish with the yard!  See you in the sunshine!