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Seljuk Ghulams
The latest off my painting table is this unit of Seljuk Ghulams — the professional ‘slave soldiers’ of Alp Arslan’s army at Manzikert....
Simon MacDowall
Jul 21, 20231 min read
114 views
3 comments


Alp Arslan Considers
Faced with a far more numerous enemy at Manzikert, Sultan Muhammad Ibn Dawud Çağrı, known as Alp Arslan, considers his options. Alp...
Simon MacDowall
Jul 5, 20231 min read
66 views
1 comment


Stong as a Lion
Muhammad Ibn Dawud Çağrı, know as ‘Alp Arslan’ (strong as a lion), led the Seljuk Turks to victory over the East Romans at Manzikert in...
Simon MacDowall
Jun 10, 20231 min read
59 views
1 comment


Ready to Battle the Turks
My 11th C Armenians are now ready to join the East Roman Emperor's expedition against the Seljuk Turks. The figures are all from Perry...
Simon MacDowall
May 27, 20231 min read
122 views
2 comments


Armenians for Manzikert
Next up on the painting table is a unit of 11th C Armenians for my Byzantine army. The Armenian Theme was unwisely abandoned by Emperor...
Simon MacDowall
May 19, 20231 min read
95 views
1 comment


When is a Peltast not a Peltast?
Many, many, years ago when the world was young, 28mm had not yet been invented, and wargames shops still existed. Back then, browsing...
Simon MacDowall
May 8, 20232 min read
112 views
4 comments


More Turks
Fresh off the painting table is another unit of Seljuk Turks as allies or enemies for my 10th-11th C Byzantine army. The figures are a...
Simon MacDowall
Jan 15, 20231 min read
52 views
4 comments


New Life for Old Turks
Many years ago, with all the best intentions, I thought I would build a Seljuk army to oppose my Byzantines and to fight the actions of...
Simon MacDowall
Dec 21, 20221 min read
69 views
3 comments


From Ancient to Medieval Greeks
I have shifted focus from the 4th C BC to the 11th C AD. This is down to a planned Siege of Antioch game (1st Crusade) in January and...
Simon MacDowall
Dec 19, 20222 min read
204 views
4 comments


Ragging Hoplite Shields
I have been having great fun playing around with different shield designs for my next unit of Greek Hoplites. Most are hand painted but I...
Simon MacDowall
Nov 16, 20222 min read
138 views
3 comments


Men of Bronze
I have just finished painting my first Hoplite unit for Alala! and the Society of Ancients Mantinea Battle Day. These are Newline Designs...
Simon MacDowall
Nov 8, 20221 min read
119 views
4 comments


Theban hamippoi on the painting table
in preparation for the Society of Ancients Mantinea Battle Day, I have been painting up Greek cavalry and light troops to supplement Pete...
Simon MacDowall
Oct 24, 20223 min read
173 views
5 comments


Forward back to the past
Second Mantinea (362 BC) will be the next battle featured at the 2023 Society of Ancients Battle Day. This has provided me with my next...
Simon MacDowall
Sep 12, 20221 min read
166 views
2 comments


The Last Recruits for Rocroi
After a painting pause I have completed all the foot regiments I need to re-fight Rocroi (1643). We will run the game 1 September and I...
Simon MacDowall
Aug 12, 20222 min read
119 views
4 comments


Cuirassiers with Blackened Armour
I am quite pleased with the way these 17th Century Alsatian cuirassiers have turned out — their blackened armour set off with a limited...
Simon MacDowall
Jun 6, 20221 min read
156 views
4 comments


Reinforcements for Rocroi
Italians, Burgundians and Germans fresh off the painting table, ready to join the Spanish Army at Rocroi (1643). The Italians (left) and...
Simon MacDowall
Apr 23, 20221 min read
165 views
4 comments
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