Mid Republican Roman Army

This was the first ancients army I've collected and painted.  It's based on the FOG starter army in the Rise of Rome expansion booklet.

The army calls for a Commander in Chief and 2 sub-Commanders.  These control (BG = Battle Group)

- 4 BG of hastati and principes (4 bases per BG so 16 bases) - heavy, impact foot, skilled swordsmen.
- 2 BG of triarii (2 bases per BG so 4 bases) - offensive spearmen
- 2 BG of velites (4 bases per BG so 8 bases) - light foot, javelin, spear.
- 2 BG of cavalry (4 bases per BG  so 8 bases) - light spear, swordsmen
- 1 BG of allied foot (6 bases per BG so 6 bases) - light spear, javelinmen
- 1 fortified camp.

I'm working on a camp at present but the rest of the army is ready.  I'm using medium horse to denote cavalry for now but once my heavy Gallic horse are ready I can  use them instead.

I have 10 bases of Cretan archers which can also provide missile support, as well as 10 bases of Rhodian slingers (which can double as Baleraric slingers for the Spanish army).

I've actually painted more triarii, principes and hastati than I need - one the basis that the battles will get larger as we get more au fait with the rules.  I also have many more velites and allied foot to paint (about 24 bases!) which will come on stream as time allows.  I'll need the velites once I come up against Russ' elephants so time may be more pressing on that point.

It just feels good to have broken the back of the painting to get an army in the field which I can add to.

My ancient spanish army is also nearing completion - just the light foot and 4 more bases of cavalry.  The scutarii and slingers can then act as Roman allies - or as opposition.