Macedonian Phalangites(πεζέταιροι). Paionia (Πaiona) phalanx. 332 BC

A modified Alexandros Models 54 mm figure. Working time: february - may 2017.

The character/name of Perdikas is fictional. I just wanted our man to have a solid Macedonian name. Furthermore I do not pretend that neither the figure's configuration (equipment, colours and shield design) nor its imaginary allocation to the phalanx (fictitious) mentioned above are in any way historically accurate.

The modifications include lowering of the left arm and repositioning of the right hand to bring the Sarissa in a more horizontal position; adding of a scarf and a 'backpack' consisting of a cloak (folded lead sheet) with a gourd and a bag attatched. Cord fasteners are made from thin lead wire.

Figure is painted in oils (Old Holland) over an acrylic base (Tamiya primer and Vallejo base colours). The shield markings (first and last letter of the phalanx name) were made with the help of a template made in Word.

The brickred and ochre yellow colours used throughout were chosen because they complement the brown and khaki drill hues used for the tunic and leather. They have nothing to do with FYROM!

For a good view of the figure: select a picture and choose full screen mode. Then click the right mouse button and choose 'view picture'. Click and Perdikas will be all over your screen. Not the best pics given the artitistic standards seen on the forum. But the pics are sharp and show good painting detail

Some of the pics are displayed incorrect as you can see. However if you click on a pic and then right mouse click 'view picture' it does show the pic correct. What is more the pic can then be enlarged screen size.

I have this fabulous figure and yours is inspirational. A quite superb paint and presentation job on an already excellent piece.

Gary

Excellent paintwork.

Marc

30 cm.......................

Well......... I am no expert on Ancient Warfare but I imagine what these phalanxes (imagine a whole unit consisting of hundreds of spears) actually did was to push the enemy from the field while at the sametime preventing him from reaching the Macedonian ranks. In theory at least. Thing is: historians can't really tell for sure what the actual melee would have looked like. But there seems to be consensus on this pushing function.

Impressive brushwork Paul. Very fine details and outlining, and pleasing colour combination.

Adrian

Impressive brushwork Paul. Very fine details and outlining, and pleasing colour combination.

Adrian

Love it - fantastic job. I especially like the armor and metals.

Regards,
Phil

Very neat painting and that long base makes a very impressive presentation.

Cheers,
Andrew

Painting update
All the metal work (Phrygian helmet, inside of the Telamon shield, greaves and the muscle cuirass/ thorax) was painted using gold printers ink mixed with certain amounts of black oil paint to which a few drops of W&N Liquin Fine Detail were added. This normally gives a semi matt finish unless the quantities of added oil paint is higher. Then the finish when placed under a drying lamp is matt. Mostly this is the case with the shadows. I prefer this to happen for in this scale the shadows should not have any sheen at all. I just Sepia on all the bare metal work (applied stipulating) to simulate dirt and oxidation.

Smart base. Excellent work!

Cheers,
Pedro.

Excellent conversion and painting. Thanks for the history.
Cheers
John

Paul mate,what can I say about this?No matter what I come up with it will be short of the mark!You have done an exceptional work on all levels.What is more important is that you have devised an entire historical proposal on the Phalangitai which is -at least to my eyes- very plausible.You have set new standards on classical antiquity subjects and that is not meant to be a compliment!Congrats mate!

Oda.

Thanks mate . Well...... we had some discussions about the configuration. Still feels like walking on thin ice. But yes I do see that most classical subjects are done differently and i really wanted to depict the Phalangitai in a different more realistic down to earth way. Having said that: I also realize that there's a lot about subjects like these that is unknown to us.

Someone on the forum cited Eugene Leliepreve (If my memory serves me correct) who remarked on the appearance of Napoleonic soldiers "If we could really see what they would have looked like we would probably be surprised". I think this holds true for Classical subjects as well.

The gladiator I am working on right now does not leave much room for manoeuvre.

And I am also aware that we are part of a minority: Classical Antiquity is one of the least popular subjects.

A minority indeed but with a champion as yourself I think that it can hold its own

Oda.