Full Force

I AM glad I decided to take stock of my biblical forces as it turns out I have quite a bit more of a collection than I realised.

This is what comes from buying and painting in dribs and drabs, rather than following a plan.

Some troops, eg the bulk of the Egyptians, have such a distinctive appearance that it would be difficult for them to pass as anyone else's.

However most troops, especially open-order archers, slingers and javelinmen, are much more interchangeable.

Here are the unit totals:

Close-order infantry 16

Open-order archers 15.5

Close-order archers 4

Chariots 12

Camels 9

Open-order slingers 6

Auxiliaries 7

Open-order javelinmen 3

Close-order cavalry 2

Open-order cavalry 12

Close-order infantry with spears and bows 3

It seems the one troop-type I am definitely short of is open-order javelinmen, and I am taking steps to rectify that.

I fielded massed chariots at Kadesh, but perhaps a few more squadrons for my collection would also come in handy

Elamites

Archers - nine units in open-order, and one in close-order

The open-order archers could certainly appear in many other biblical-era armies, and the close-order archers in a few.

Nomads?

These 12 units of javelin-armed open-order cavalry are unlikely to get much of a chance to show their stuff in biblical battles

Light cavalry were not much of a thing in the early days of warfare, especially light cavalry armed with javelins rather than bows. Nevertheless they will probably come in handy at some point.

Syrians

Two squadrons of Syrian chariots - suitable allies/vassals for many biblical armies

Hittites

The core of almost any Hittite army: five units of biblical infantry and two squadrons of heavy chariots

Both the infantry and chariotry can be used in other contemporary armies.

Midianites

Front row: four-and-a-half units of open-order archers; middle row: five units of camels and one of slingers; rear row: four units of camels and two of slingers 

These troops can easily be used in the armies of other nations, if only, in the case of camelry, as allies.

Hebrews

Left to right, front row: open-order javelins, three units of slingers, two more units of open-order javelins; middle row: six units of auxiliaries; rear row: five chariot squadrons

The 17 units allow me to field any Hebrew army for Neil Thomas's biblical rules in Ancient & Medieval Wargaming up to the end of the reign of David's son Solomon.

After him, Thomas recommends using the Canaanite & Philistine list for both the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah).

The troops' lack of uniforms, and generally undistinguished clothing, means all the units could easily be fielded in many other Middle Eastern forces without looking out of place.

Egyptians

Left to right, front row: close-order archers, two units of spear-armed biblical infantry, bow-armed chariots, the royal chariot squadron, bow-armed chariots, marine archers; back row: spear-armed biblical infantry, Sherden, marine spears

Egyptian clothing was distinctive, which means, with the exception of the Sherden, none of these troops can stand in as part of other nations' armies.

Assyrians

TAKING stock of my collection has, as it turns out, meant regluing several figures that had managed to work themselves loose from their bases.

Here are my specifically Assyrian troops, most (all?) of whom have already seen action on the tabletop in one of the various trial battles I have fought against my regular wargaming opponent ('Reg').

Left to right, front row: two units of close-order armoured archers and three of close-order infantry with spears and bows; rear row: two units of close-order cavalry and two of close-order spears

First Canaanites Painted

I FOUND it difficult sourcing suitable Canaanite infantry for my biblical project, until I came across Pendraken's Great Fyrd Anglo-Saxons from the company's 10mm Dark Ages range.

The spearmen, suitably painted, would clearly make ideal Canaanites, and so I ordered four packs of 30 figures.

The order arrived in one large pack, but unfortunately there were only 119 figures.

However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I made up the shortfall with a leftover Assyrian standard-bearer.

His distinctive appearance, having scale-bronze body armour, will come in handy should I need to designate one unit as of superior quality to its brethren.

The 'Assyrian' is in the front row of the unit on the extreme left

I have been steadily painting figures for my project, but I have been doing it largely without a specific plan, painting more-or-less what takes my fancy.

So I reckon it is time to go through what I have ... and what I still need.

(to be continued)