In my growing metal mound I have a lot of unpainted figures for my Macedonian ancient army. Initially it was my intention to do Alexander's army but the more research I did the more I realised just what an unpleasant character he was which is perhaps a strange reason to not collect some toys led by him. But its strange times Im afraid so Ive opted for a successor army which given their devious and grasping nature is also a strange choice. But at least they knew they were lacking certain morals and accepted a more pragmatic view of politics.
I can assure everyone I havent discovered wokedom but a bit like my dislike of Frederick the not so Great I couldnt bring myself to collect an army representing that devious little dwarf. So here are my Galation contingent who fought for every would be Alexander. These are from Aventine Miniatures and are very nice sculpts, unfortunately not my best efforts but they will do. The guy on the shield is the Agema Miniatures Celtic general which will lead?? some warbands throwing sixes all the way hopefully.
Another ECW unit purchased, touched up and recycled. Amongst the badly handled figures were some particularly well painted figures.Sadly there were only a handful so I had to pad them out with some of my poorer painted ones. Still they look very Parliamentarian. Im not certain why I felt I needed some more cavalry for the ECW but it means I have an additional unit of slow moving cavalry to face the Royalists.
If we draw a line at only fielding armies of ‘goodies’ then our hobby maybe lost. Are there no ‘baddies’ in the ECW?
ReplyDeleteOf course there are Johnathan. Ive just finished another biography of Alexander written by Peter Green. Id read the review in a Slingshot from the 1970's. Thats how current I am by the way and I must say what a great biography it was. However Green shed some interesting light upon Alexander regarding his increasingly bizarre and unpleasant murderous behaviour. I know its not really a reason not to paint up a Macedonian army but given how he is portrayed as some shining example of Hellenic civilization I didnt want to have him gallivanting across my battlefield.I hold the same thoughts re Fredrick the Great but greatly admire Napoleon. I didnt say it was logical I just didnt want to represent Alexander.
DeleteYour successors bring a fantastic splash of colour. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteIm a big admirer of Antigonus the One Eyed, yes he could be a villain but he was somehow likeable, well in my perverse world he is.
DeleteAwesome warlord and warband and ECW troops as well.
ReplyDeleteTo be truthful Dean I really struggled with the figures. They are lovely sculpts and should have been a joy to paint but I just couldnt do them justice. I blame the weather.
DeleteHmm....Without wanting to sound condescending you probably need to read more about Alexander and his age.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is we don't have much to go on; the nearest to primary sources are books from much later which "may" have used contemporary or near contemporary works, but we cannot be sure as they have not survived. Even then those contemporary works were written with a certain "spin" in mind. Every work written about Alexander since has been with a particular viewpoint or objective but not objectively. Hence Alexander can be whatever you want him to be, God, devil, military genius or psychotic ungrateful alcoholic. Here's a thought, perhaps he was all of those things or none of them. The truth is we will never know. You will choose to believe what you will to reflect your own foibles.
There are some facts that it's pretty safe to accept; Macedonian kings rarely died peacefully in their beds. There were several noble families that could have staked a claim to the throne and to be King and stay king required a certain amount of ruthlessness.
If even a fraction of the stories about his mother are true, it's a wonder he was as sane as he was.
He drank too much, like most Macedonians.
There probably were people plotting to kill him and they may have succeeded in the end.
Looking at his reported actions from that perspective gives a different viewpoint.
Comparing him to his immediate Successors makes him positively beatific!
I never said it was a logical decision Neil and I certainly havent read all the best biographies re Alexander. I actually found his father a more rounded individual and of course look what happened to him. Interestingly his murder was laid at the feet of Alexander's mother and it certainly was a safe bet she was capable of organizing the hit.Any woman capable of throwing a rivals baby on an open fire and making the mother watch must be a good bet for the assassination. As for Alexander I think my ridiculous viewpoint has more to do with many authors portraying him as some sort of civilising benefactor when it was clear he was more interested in proving he was the best at war and somehow proving his relationship to the mythical Achilles. It isnt a sensible observation but unfortunately thats the way I think. Hell I support Sunderland and no one with an ounce of sanity should follow that dark path but such is fate.
DeleteKnow what you mean, I’ve always balked at doing anything involving SS troops.
ReplyDeleteStrangely that never troubled me, I always opted for the poor Italian Army which sort of reinforces the lack of logical thought shown by me at times.
DeleteNice units Robbie, I am a bit concerned re your thoughts on Alexander. Frederick I understand but bearing in mind 1 in 3 of the Ptolemy’s were killed through dubious means it was not a pleasant time to be a ruler
ReplyDeleteI never said it was a logical observation Graham, its just the way I opted for his successors who couldnt hide their piratical leanings and probably didnt care anyway.Anyway it makes for an interesting talking point. Dont worry I wont be pulling down any statues or boycotting any wargame shows.
DeleteThose Galatians from Aventine are really nice and the ECW good guys look fine too. Are you sure the shield borne chief isn't by Foundry? I remember seeing a pack like them in their shop back in the Nottingham days.
ReplyDeleteIts down to you David that I started buying Aventine figures. Its just a shame I didn't do a decent paint job on them, but they are adequate. As for the chief its definitely from Agema.
DeleteJust too much reading I would say - my knowledge of Alexander is firmly based on a Ladybird history book borrowed from the library circa 1970 - probably read to me by my dad at bedtime on the first occasion! Nothing unsavory in there, I can assure you, and its left me with a nice positive opinion of him!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough all the fiction Ive read about Alexander also left me thinking he was a nice boy although a bit light on his feet. The reality is of course very different AND he apparently had a high pitched voice. Whats that about.
DeleteYou know what they say - power is rarely wielded by the worthy. few people rise to the top by being nice. Even fewer stay there by being nice. Love the Galatians though - mine appear to have rather less clothing.
ReplyDeleteCheers Paul. What was a throwaway comment meant as dark humour seems to have touched a sensitive nerve I fear. Clearly Colin Farrel as Alexander must have subconsciously scarred me for life.
DeleteI suspect Alex was no better and no worse than most absolute rulers in his day - my Alexandrian army morphed into a Successor one just because losing with Alexander just felt wrong (and I liked the weird troop types).
ReplyDeleteAlso, wasn't 'CUCKOLDS WE COME' a Royalist ensign?
Got me there Rob. I had a spare horse banner and simply stuck it on.If push comes to shove I can always say its a captured standard. Funnily enough I was part of a refight of Issus and managed to get Alexander killed during the battle. Maybe it was an omen.
DeleteNice looking Galatians and parliamentary horse! I know what you mean about Alexander, trouble is, what do you do about the War of the Roses? They're all pretty poor specimens of the human race in command but we still all want a game!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
I'll be honest, it was a throwaway comment which got a reaction. Unfortunate in some respects but at least it garnered a reaction and got people talking.I will state that the more I read of Alexander he comes across as a monster hiding behind a facade of honour and intelligence. Probably the worst type of monster.But its just my ill informed opinion and counts for naught.
DeleteReally should have been called 'Alexander the Grasping'.
ReplyDeleteNothing was ever enough. Greece? Not enough. Persian Empire? Not enough. He would have traversed the world fighting if his army hadn't got too old and wanted to retire
Imaging being a foot-soldier in his army as he made plans to march to the ocean when they reached India. Although they didnt know it, the march would have taken them over a thousand miles full of powerful enemies.
DeleteThe Cleitus the Black episode is always a bit tough to get around, unless perhaps you're the kind of person to whom it's relatively normal to kill a friend (especially one who's previously saved your life) in a drunken quarrel!
ReplyDeleteRight from him taking the throne Alexander showed he had issues. His treatment of Thebes was a very strong indicator of what was to come. One incident in particular stood out for me and that was his treatment of the commander at the siege of Tyre when after it had fallen he insisted on torturing the man in a vain attempt to prove he had enemies amongst his army.Im sorry but I dont buy into this image of Alexander being a civilising conqueror.But thats only my opinion.
DeleteI don't think anyone believes Alexander himself civilised people, but the consequence of his conquests meant a spreading of Hellenistic culture and mixing with others - was this good or bad is just perspective.
DeleteAlso why would a Macedonian King (who rarely died in their beds) seek to live in accordance with our values and standards. I suspect he would reckon the fact that we're still discussing him after all this time is the next best thing to immortality and worth a dead friend or two.
Interesting idea Rob,theres no doubt he became determined to be known forever and to outdo Achilles but I still wouldnt like him as a drinking partner.
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