Abbasiya Horse Archers

This group of horse archers were originally painted up as Abbasiya Horse Archers for my up and coming Abbasid Caliphate Army which I'm tailoring to fit the Hamdanid mode of fighting to take on my Thematic Byzantines. Also of course, the Hamdanids were contemporary to the Thematic Byzantine empire at it's oft named, "Golden Age".

I'm currently finishing off the requisite miniatures for the WAB Mongol Mania event that Tim Haslam is putting on in Middleton (basically painting 24 horses at speed in my spare time) where my Thematic Byzantine will be making an appearance (watch out for a report of kinds from that event). I had already  painted nine such miniatures so just had to do the four; as obsessed with miniature painting that I am, I would still prefer to do another nine just so that precisely match the miniatures below! Alas, it is unlikely I will be able to find the time.

These miniatures are from the Footsore Miniatures Armies of the Caliphate range originally sculpted by the brilliant Bill Thornhill, what seems like a long tome ago now! They would do for "Arabised" Seljuks, "Arabised" Khazars, Abbysia from the Abbasid Caliphate, Khwaresmanian horse archers as well as horse archers living at the periphery of the furthest Eastern Roman/Byzantine Themes. They will be standing in as "Arabised" Khazar mercenaries. (Edit: I reckon they would even stand in as the lower echelons of a Mamluk army as well).

Without further ado- I have limited time to paint! (All images are "clickable" should you wish to enlarge them)

Cheers.

Nikephoros II Phokas, 912–969: The White Death of the Saracens, Ilkka Syvänne (March 30th, 2025)

Apologies for the brevity of this post but it has just come to my attention that Ilkka Syvänne will be publishing his study of  Nikephoros II Phokas in April of this year. I've read all of his The Military History of Late Rome which were mostly impressive; I find myself very much looking forward to the publications of  Nikephoros II Phokas, 912–969: The White Death of the Saracens at the end of this month.

Cheers

Middle Imperial Romans vs Early Sassanids

Just a very short post with a few snaps of the Middle Imperial Roman vs Early Sassanid WAB game we played last week. I actually jumped in to the second half of the game as I missed the first week so I'm really not qualified to talk you through the battle.

The pictures are nice so on the blog they go!

Cheers.

Seleucid Argyraspides & "Bonus" Antigonus Monophthalmus

This little lot, plus more, were due to take part in a display game at a well known wargame show but the game but it does not look like I will be taking part in the game at present. Still, they look quite pretty and although I'm not quite as far as I wanted to be with the units (the painted army consists of one unit of Seleucid Argyraspides and Antigonus the One Eyed!) it would be a shame not to document the miniatures.

My last blue backdrops got wet (printer ink) so I've had to produce some ad hoc backgrounds for the photo's. If anyone knows of a full A4 blue background file anywhere, please do let me know as I'm in desperate need of one as you can see!

Antigonus Monophthalmus