Simon, these are gorgeous. Have we yet, however, found an example where they were not completely useless? They can't simply have been a rubbish status symbol for hundreds of years, like elephants? Mind you, I'm currently finishing off my Sumerian onager chariots with solid tree-trunk wheels; who am I to talk?
Thanks chaps! There was one reported battle and one skirmish where they did well, there may well have been others, now forgotten. I suspect that, Like elephants, they may have done well in the first engagement in a campaign, before suitable counter-measures were developed.
The three major times where scythed chariots did well were under Cyrus the Great in his Persian conquest against Babylonians, and Lydians. The Persian Satraps defeated a Spartan force at Dascylium in 395 BC. The two scythed chariots were launched against foragers that were rushing to form up when bushwhacked by the Persians. Cavalry followed up the scythed chariots and the foraging troops were cut up fairly well but fell back to the hoplite line which stopped any further action. Outcome had no effect on the campaign.
At the start of the War with Mithridates Roman allies from Bithynia invaded Pontic turf. It appears while marching and attempting to form up the Pontic army caught the Bithynian forces strung out. The scythed chariots found the columns an appealing and undisciplined target and the initial rout carried off the whole Bithynian force.
That was the extent of success for the recorded Pontic chariots as later on the real Roman legions simply laughed at their comical ineptitude.
Makes it hard for a gamer though. These models are not cheap, they are fragile, need special handling, and are ineffective. All good reasons to have three of them :)
As the proud possessor of (I think) 14 28mm elephants (metal, plastic, resin, tower, no tower, no riders etc) and 15 HaT Sumerian really useless donkey chariots, I know I'm not on a Miller scale. However, I think I'm entitled to express the view that they are all rubbish. But I love them and would not give them up for anything. My dear but deluded wife wants me to get even more elephants; I must resist. I have to paint up some actually useful units, or indeed get a life.
28 March 2021 at 20:28
[Image]Here's a project that I finished a while back but never had time to photograph. This is my fleet of scythed chariots; the Mark I's (venerable Vendels) at the rear and the Mark II's (lethal-looking Gripping Beast Polemarchs) to the fore. I'm very pleased with them.[Image] I assembled them - no mean task! I made the whips from plastic rod. Shaun McTague painted them all, he did a splendid job with the red and the gold. I based on my wobbly-edged bases. [Image] All the models are intended for the Ipsus game that I plan to run at various shows in Q3 and Q4. I fully suspect that they will last for less than 90 seconds! I'd have done better building wrecked chariot models, at least they'd be there all game. ;-) In other news, I've just published an updated version of the Medieval army lists. If you bought the lists before you should have received a download link. [Image] There are now 108 lists in the Medieval Army List eBook, and around two third of them now include historical background material. I've also started to include photos of my favourite wargames figures painted by my favourite wargames artists. If you'd like to buy a copy you can find it here.
15 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formThey are quite wonderful mate. Such a shame they will be gone from the table so quickly!
1 March 2021 at 06:15
I shall call them the "Twenty Minuters" after that Blackadder episode. :-)
1 March 2021 at 10:18
Incredibly impressive display as always. Are these for Ipsus or Magnesia?
My troops are shaking in their boots over how wide a gap they have to form!
1 March 2021 at 19:22
Ipsus Jeff. :-) it'll be my biggest game by a fair margin.
1 March 2021 at 20:20
I can believe that if there is that many Scythed Chariots!
2 March 2021 at 00:08
Impressive and awe-inspiring, if fragile elements!
2 March 2021 at 12:58
Those chariots looks superb! It would almost be an honour to be run down by them 😆
3 March 2021 at 22:39
Splendid looking scythed chariots, it's as if someone said I have a cunning plan...!
Best Iain
4 March 2021 at 15:45
Simon, these are gorgeous. Have we yet, however, found an example where they were not completely useless? They can't simply have been a rubbish status symbol for hundreds of years, like elephants? Mind you, I'm currently finishing off my Sumerian onager chariots with solid tree-trunk wheels; who am I to talk?
4 March 2021 at 21:29
Attack of the Veg-o-matics! :-)
5 March 2021 at 01:43
They look splendid!
cheers
Matt
12 March 2021 at 19:29
Brilliant models, BRB!
19 March 2021 at 10:29
Thanks chaps! There was one reported battle and one skirmish where they did well, there may well have been others, now forgotten. I suspect that, Like elephants, they may have done well in the first engagement in a campaign, before suitable counter-measures were developed.
19 March 2021 at 10:35
The three major times where scythed chariots did well were under Cyrus the Great in his Persian conquest against Babylonians, and Lydians. The Persian Satraps defeated a Spartan force at Dascylium in 395 BC. The two scythed chariots were launched against foragers that were rushing to form up when bushwhacked by the Persians. Cavalry followed up the scythed chariots and the foraging troops were cut up fairly well but fell back to the hoplite line which stopped any further action. Outcome had no effect on the campaign.
At the start of the War with Mithridates Roman allies from Bithynia invaded Pontic turf. It appears while marching and attempting to form up the Pontic army caught the Bithynian forces strung out. The scythed chariots found the columns an appealing and undisciplined target and the initial rout carried off the whole Bithynian force.
That was the extent of success for the recorded Pontic chariots as later on the real Roman legions simply laughed at their comical ineptitude.
Makes it hard for a gamer though. These models are not cheap, they are fragile, need special handling, and are ineffective. All good reasons to have three of them :)
19 March 2021 at 19:26
As the proud possessor of (I think) 14 28mm elephants (metal, plastic, resin, tower, no tower, no riders etc) and 15 HaT Sumerian really useless donkey chariots, I know I'm not on a Miller scale. However, I think I'm entitled to express the view that they are all rubbish. But I love them and would not give them up for anything. My dear but deluded wife wants me to get even more elephants; I must resist. I have to paint up some actually useful units, or indeed get a life.
28 March 2021 at 20:28