Warlord Games Imperial Roman Auxiliaries unboxing and review
Today we get to take a look at Warlord Games Imperial Roman Auxiliaries in 28mm. Forgive the box, it wasn't the work of Warlord, but the work of a heavy handed postie who decided that yes with enough force this WOULD fit through my letter box. Luckily the contents where unharmed.
I love the art on the box, like all the Warlord ones I have seen its excellent, evocative and full of action.
You get 24 multipose (I shall comment on that) plastic and metal soldiers in here perfect to add to a fledgling Roman force.
Before we dive in who where the Auxilia?
The Auxilia (Latin, lit. "helps") constituted the standing non-citizen corps of the Imperial Roman army during the Principate era (30 BC–284 AD), alongside the citizen legions. By the 2nd century, the Auxilia contained the same number of infantry as the legions and in addition provided almost all of the Roman army's cavalry and more specialised troops (especially light cavalry and archers). The auxilia thus represented three-fifths of Rome's regular land forces at that time. Like their legionary counterparts, auxiliary recruits were mostly volunteers, not conscripts.
The Auxilia were mainly recruited from the peregrini, i.e. free provincial subjects of the Roman Empire who did not hold Roman citizenship and constituted the vast majority of the empire's population in the 1st and 2nd centuries (c. 90% in the early 1st century). The Auxilia also included some Roman citizens and probably barbarians (barbari, as the Romans called peoples located outside the Empire's borders). This was in contrast to the legions, which admitted Roman citizens only.
Roman auxiliary units developed from the varied contingents of non-Italian troops, especially cavalry, that the Roman Republic used in increasing numbers to support its legions after 200 BC. The Julio-Claudian period (30 BC–68 AD) saw the transformation of these motley temporary levies into a standing corps of regiments with standardised structure, equipment and conditions of service. By the end of this period, there were no significant differences between legionaries and most auxiliaries in terms of training, or thus combat capability.
Auxiliary regiments were often stationed in provinces other than the province in which they were originally raised, both for reasons of imperial security and to foster the process of Romanisation and integration of the provinces. The regimental names of many auxiliary units persisted into the 4th century, but by then the units in question were different in size, structure, and quality from their predecessors.
On the back you get a nice bit of background, an overview of the contents, and some nice painted model pictures. I have to say Warlord really smash it with their packaging, always enjoy these boxes.
so whats in the box? lets have a look......
Inside the box you get 5 individually wrapped plastic sprues of 4 soldiers each, a sheet of waterslide decals, and a baggie of metal models and bits.
The transfers are lovely, and clear backed so will work on any colour of shield you choose, and they have the boss cut out already, so I am very happy with these, cant wait to see what they will look like on the models.
Now... the statement Multipose made on the box, its a tricky one, as these are not what I would call true multipose, as they are in set stances, and you add either one or 2 arms, a head and shield. Yes it does give you a little option for variety, but the majority of poses will end up similar. This is not too much of a problem to me though with a block army, and the fact that the plastic moulding is nicely done, and the sculpts themselves are very detailed. It also cuts down drastically on build time, which is another bonus for me, so overall I am really happy with this method.
The shields are nice and flat, ready for paint and the lovely decals to be applied. All the sprues are the same, so the build should be nice and easy, and leave you with some bits for your spares box too.
onto the metal. You get a standard bearer with choice of 2 standards, a musician, a commander "centurio" (who looks amazing) and another soldier with two feathers as a second in command. the models are incrediably well detailed, but will require a bit of cleanup on the metal to get the most out of them.
The cloak on the Centurio is billowing out and he looks fearsome as any
roman leader should. I am looking forward to painting him up.
Overall a great box set, the inclusion of decals gets it a mega bonus. The models in plastic are easy to put together, and well detailed, whilst the metal commands are excellent. A great box to add to your Roman forces for Hail Caesar or any Ancients game you may play.
And they look blooming great painted!!
Head over here to pick up your own box to bring glory to the Empire
You get 24 multipose (I shall comment on that) plastic and metal soldiers in here perfect to add to a fledgling Roman force.
Before we dive in who where the Auxilia?
The Auxilia (Latin, lit. "helps") constituted the standing non-citizen corps of the Imperial Roman army during the Principate era (30 BC–284 AD), alongside the citizen legions. By the 2nd century, the Auxilia contained the same number of infantry as the legions and in addition provided almost all of the Roman army's cavalry and more specialised troops (especially light cavalry and archers). The auxilia thus represented three-fifths of Rome's regular land forces at that time. Like their legionary counterparts, auxiliary recruits were mostly volunteers, not conscripts.
The Auxilia were mainly recruited from the peregrini, i.e. free provincial subjects of the Roman Empire who did not hold Roman citizenship and constituted the vast majority of the empire's population in the 1st and 2nd centuries (c. 90% in the early 1st century). The Auxilia also included some Roman citizens and probably barbarians (barbari, as the Romans called peoples located outside the Empire's borders). This was in contrast to the legions, which admitted Roman citizens only.
Roman auxiliary units developed from the varied contingents of non-Italian troops, especially cavalry, that the Roman Republic used in increasing numbers to support its legions after 200 BC. The Julio-Claudian period (30 BC–68 AD) saw the transformation of these motley temporary levies into a standing corps of regiments with standardised structure, equipment and conditions of service. By the end of this period, there were no significant differences between legionaries and most auxiliaries in terms of training, or thus combat capability.
Auxiliary regiments were often stationed in provinces other than the province in which they were originally raised, both for reasons of imperial security and to foster the process of Romanisation and integration of the provinces. The regimental names of many auxiliary units persisted into the 4th century, but by then the units in question were different in size, structure, and quality from their predecessors.
so whats in the box? lets have a look......
roman leader should. I am looking forward to painting him up.
Overall a great box set, the inclusion of decals gets it a mega bonus. The models in plastic are easy to put together, and well detailed, whilst the metal commands are excellent. A great box to add to your Roman forces for Hail Caesar or any Ancients game you may play.
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