Early Byzantine Army General/Magister Militum Command Stand

 

It has been just ten days since my last post. I've been cleaning up and assembling some of the beautiful new Perry plastic Afghan Tribesmen as well as being a little ill. The illness was a bit worrying for a few days as it was certainly a cold. As I'm 'shielding' this was I must admit an anxious moment. I have not developed any of the classic Covid 19 symptoms so I have probably just picked up a cold from somewhere, though given my steadfast shielding, I know from not where.

I'm just happy to be in one piece.

I've managed to complete the Byzantine Magister Militum Command Stand who will be standing in as my army general for my Early Byzantines. The base of the stand is all of 10 cm in diameter which is admittedly on the large size. I purchased some round white plastic rings of various sizes to fit a couple of rules systems that can be placed over the top of the model in order to adhere to the requisite basing conventions. Some rules just measure from the commander's head so not a problem really. The back of the stand looks just a litle too bare for my liking so I will be adding a little bit of clutter in the form of a few Sassanid shields, perhaps a kontarion and sword as well. Whatever completes the composition really.

The banner is hand painted and is based on the famous mosaic of Emperor Justinian. It was a toss up between Justinian and Belisarius as they are depicted on the same mosaic. In the end I opted for Justinian as he looked more magnificent (and pompous).

As usual the mini's were chosen from Aventine Miniatures Early Byzantine range from two packs- three from the BYZ22 Senior Foot Command 1 and one from the BYZ23 Senior Foot Command 2. The miniatures chosen for the task are below:

 

I know I have said it before but I have really fallen in love with this Aventine range. They have just the right amount of detail to add an Eastern Roman flavour to distinguish the range from that of a Late Western Roman range. The sculpts are delightful and jam packed with detail. My original plan was to speed paint the army up but any notion I held in that regard was soon suppressed when first package was opened and the mini's were in my hand. These had to be painted up carefully and with a little bit of TLC.

All the images are "clickable" so feel free to dive in and see them warts and all. 

Next up will be either a unit of Armoured Spearmen in shieldwall or an Unarmoured of Spear again. Both are cleaned up, primed and undercoated thus ready to go.