"Cattle in Gaul" Topic

To a certain extent (and at certain times) the number of cattle owned by a Gaul would define his status.

What kind(s) of cattle are we talking about here?

Any 28mm figs of these types of cattle out there?

mjc

Try these:

chillinghamwildcattle.com

I'd look at modern breeds like the Bearnais:

link

…or the Asturian Valley, both being probably close in appearance to (although larger than) their ancient counterparts in Gaul and Iberia.

Although he provides few specifics of pphysical characteristics, Pliny offers good commentary on what there the preferable sources of cattle in his time, Gaul being one.

IIRC, 1st Corps has a nice ox in their Road Builder set in their EIR range. If you asked nicely, they might be willing to provide some separately, depending on how they're laid out in the mold.

Allen

Peter Reynolds of the Butser Ancient Farm wrote on Iron Age farm animals:
link

Reynolds' books and papers were mostly about ancient Britain, but there were great similarities with the animals in Gaul. Check out Animals in Celtic Life and Myth by Miranda Green. This covers both Britain and Gaul. I have the book, Les Gaulois et les Animaux, by Patrice Méniel. That specifically discusses farm animals in Iron Age Gaul. BUT it's in French, so I have been reading it very very slowly.

Iron Age livestock were much smaller than today's breeds. So, the best models for this size might be the ones sold by Imex in their 1/72 American Pioneers set. The people are 20mm, but the cows and pigs are oversized, making them good animals for 28mm:
link

For 28mm metal cattle check out Mega Miniatures, Vendel Miniatures, Gripping Beast, and Redoubt. Maybe I should do a cow scale compare on my blog!

As I recall they had Highland Cattle at Butser (at least in the 1970's); Gripping Beast do those.

the first corps cows are a great foit for the chillingsworth cattle.

cheers
matt

the French cow says "La Meuix"

The British have perhaps been more aggressive that those on the Continent in preserving and retro-breeding their ancient cattle. But I don't believe a Highland model would represent a Continental breed very well.

Goering tried bringing back the aurochs, tho'…

Allen

A warning, despite what some-places might say, the Scottish Highland is not a particularly ancient breed. I am not sure when it was first bread but its introduction to the Highland seems to be in the early 1700s replacing a small black cow. It gave better milk return than the black cow with nearly as good meat. It is, almost certainly, not a good substitute for any ancient breed,

x42

I think the small black cow referred to above may well have been something like the Kerry breed:

link

As mentioned at the link, these cattle are considered to be descendants of the Celtic shorthorn, which has been in Ireland for several thousand years.

I would imagine that most Iron Age cattle – whatever the breed – would not have been anything like as big as modern breeds. There would have been a far higher mortality rate from diseases which are now managed very effectively with modern vaccination programmes. The Kerry breed has always been noted for being extremely tough, and does pretty well on marginal pastures. You still see them occasionally in the more remote parts of the west of Ireland, although I would imagine that none of those cattle are pure Kerrys these days.

Another "old breed" to consider would be the Devon.

link

The text mentions that the Romans took particular note of the red cattle that they found in Britain in 55 B.C. Pure conjecture on my part of course, but it could imply that many cattle of that colour were not particularly prevalent in areas already occupied by the Romans – like Gaul.

And, speaking of Gaul, we cannot discount the Galloway breed:

link

"The breed is recognized to be a very ancient one, with obscure origins shrouded in antiquity and its' name derived from the word Gallovid or Gaul."

Allen – thanks for linking that site. My dad was particularly appreciative. He's been thinking about investing in some rare breed cattle now that he's retired.

Yes, the Highland cattle aren't an ancient breed, but they sure look it! They're like wooly mammoths.

"Goering tried bringing back the aurochs"
Yes, he had an eye on their barbecue potential.

Does anyone make an Auroch?

mjc

Quidveritas, here's a link to RLBPS/Dazed Miniatures's website. Their 28mm aurochs is listed in their Prehistoric Animals range:

rlbps.com/RLBPdazed.htm

And here's a picture of a painted model:

picture

I've always found it fascinating that ancient man, let alone Roman legions, lived side-by-side with the aurochs, who's average shoulder height was about six feet high. That's a lot of eatin'!

Good luck on your project, quidveritas.

That (Auroch) is one big side of beef. But $18.00 USD a pop?

mjc

" That's a lot of eatin'!"
Yes but an Air Reichs Marshal requires a lot of feeding.

"A warning, despite what some-places might say, the Scottish Highland is not a particularly ancient breed. I am not sure when it was first bread but its introduction to the Highland seems to be in the early 1700s replacing a small black cow. "

Can I ask you where you got this from?