15mm Assyrian Wars: Assyria

[markleslie4]

Later Sargonid Assyrian 680 BC to 609 BC

An old start/stop project started again in the usual hope of making the finish line, sort of, as much as one can finish a project with so many options.
So, while I have a rough idea for the makeup of the army that tends towards my idea of quality, it will also include options for quantity because I don't really know what works best against which enemy. Since it's going to end up being a force pool to draw on rather than a set army, I'll also make as much of it usable for other armies (such as my Babylonians) as possible.

Kings Chariot
(Essex Miniatures chariot and front crew, Museum scribes rear and scratch built parasol)

a. Assyrian King.jpg (894.42 KiB) Viewed 13792 times

b. Assyrian King rear.jpg (929.13 KiB) Viewed 13792 times

I've made these before and they're too big for the base. I've shortened the draught-pole as much as possible pushing the rear of the horses right up against the front of the cab. It still overhangs the base but much more comfortable with the result than previous efforts.

[markleslie4]

Chariots
4-horse chariots with four crewmen.
(Essex Miniatures)

c. Assyrian Chariot.jpg (830.88 KiB) Viewed 13792 times

d. Assyrian Chariot rear.jpg (907.89 KiB) Viewed 13792 times

This is an old Neo-Babylonian chariot I had which I have painfully pulled apart modified, as above, and put back together with a new Assyrian crew. Much damage, many repairs and a lot of painting over former work to bring it up to standard.

[markleslie4]

Elite Cavalry
Horsemen, equipped with felt-barded horses after 668 BC
(Essex Miniatures)

e. Assyrian Elite Cavalry.jpg (834.8 KiB) Viewed 13792 times

f. Assyrian Elite Cavalry rear.jpg (791.32 KiB) Viewed 13792 times

I was trying to use the natural light when I took these photos but it progressively became worse as I continued, so they get a bit darkish from here.

[markleslie4]

Spear
Spearmen with conical shields
(Essex Miniatures)

i. Assyrian Spear, round shield.jpg (607.31 KiB) Viewed 13791 times

j. Assyrian Spear, round shield rear.jpg (563.75 KiB) Viewed 13791 times

I had two elements from a previous start so, of course, I had to add another to max it out.

[markleslie4]

Spear
Spearmen with long shields
(Essex Miniatures)

g. Assyrian Spear, long shield.jpg (566.43 KiB) Viewed 13791 times

h. Assyrian Spear, long shield rear.jpg (687.21 KiB) Viewed 13791 times

Umm, because I like the long shields more.

Looking a little dark and sinister too.

[markleslie4]

Archers
Bowmen
(Museum Miniatures)

k. Assyrian Archer.jpg (643.08 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

l. Assyrian Archer rear.jpg (579.94 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

Not sure about these now, they have extra large Bushranger beards and are maybe a little too different to the rest, may replace them at some stage with something else. Essex Assyrians, Egyptians, Kushites, Elamites, lots of choices that are suitable for the Archer slot.

Didn't need to paint two, but hey, you get eight in a packet.

[markleslie4]

Light Foot
Battle array armed with spear and round flat shield
(Essex Miniatures)

m. Assyrian Light Foot 1.jpg (611.05 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

n. Assyrian Light Foot 1 rear.jpg (611.99 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

[markleslie4]

Light Foot
Battle array armed with spear and round flat shield
(Essex Miniatures)

o. Assyrian Light Foot 2.jpg (711.44 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

p. Assyrian Light Foot 2 rear.jpg (646.61 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

These were also from a previous start, I've just painted over the original work and rebased them to match.
One thing to note with this particular figure is that the right arm is sculpted with a long sleeve, I assume residue from whatever figure it was adapted from.

[markleslie4]

Skirmishers
Supporting skirmishing bowmen of the battle array
(Essex Miniatures)

q. Assyrian Skirmisher.jpg (552.25 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

r. Assyrian Skirmisher rear.jpg (538.9 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

Tried to make them look a little better dressed than the Tribals.

[markleslie4]

Skirmishers
Tribal levy skirmishing bowmen or slingers
(Essex Miniatures)

s. Tribal Skirmishers.jpg (465.17 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

t. Tribal Skirmishers rear.jpg (724.02 KiB) Viewed 13793 times

These are also older work, must have sprayed the varnish on too thick way back when, I had to do a bit of touching up to try and hide some frosting(?) around the faces.

Some of the elements I hope to use more generically in this and other armies.
I'll also be adding some slingers at some point for variety.