Things at the club had gradually started to drift from the Third Century Roman Empire and their battles against the mighty Sassanian Cataphract centred armies to that of the later age of domination of the Clibanarii, a much more versatile cavalryman. To compliment this progression I decided to start to put some paint on my Aventine Sassanids by putting together a unit of Daylamite Light Infantry (fully kitted out with light armour [beneath their tunics!], large shields, javelins, throwing spears and bows!) The miniatures to act on the tabletop primarily as formed but manoeuverable Light Infantry. Also, by dropping the command figures would be useful as Kurdish skirmishers in the same army.
The general idea of for the overall "look" of the miniatures is an illustration I found on the net and looking suitably fifth/sixth century Persian and Mesopotamian in dress.
I changed up the shields from the decorated variety shown above and painted a hide covering on each shield. It somehow felt more mountainous, perhaps more Daylamite(?).
To start off with this small unit will be 18 men strong but will grow as our games inevitably get larger! So far I have nine test models painted with another nine on the way. I've left the bow carrying models until last so they can be placed at the rear of the unit to give the unit impression of being armed with melee and long range missile weapons. I trying to Bluestuff cast bow cases and bows for all the miniatures but realising the scale of the project, and the rush I find myself in these days, I decided against it. A shame really.
Here's what I have completed thus far. They're not as tight as my Byzantines, which is disappointing. I put this down to messing around with speed painting techniques of late. I would tidy them up a little but they are already glossed and matted down. Damn! The next lot will be better.
