"17th Century Turkish Levant" Topic

I recently bought some of the TAG Renaissance Ottoman Levant figs. Does anyone have any advice on how to paint them? What about the hats? Color suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am also looking for some 17th century "Martheloses" (sp) or irregular Greek types that fought for and against the Ottomans in the early 17th century in 25/28s. Any suggestions?

Not much that I have found either. The ospreys on Vienna 1683 and either Ottoman Armies or Janissaries has the same costume illustrated. This is unlikely to be a set universal uniform and is far more likely just to be a "safe" guess based on a surviving single set of clothes at a museum somewhere.

If I get a set of these, I think I am going to paint them as I please on the assumption that different ortas would have been differently uniformed anyway.

Hey Xenephon,
As to te Levant troops, google ottoman costumes for
some color ideas, but other than that it's probably
guess work.

For Martheloses use the dixon 25mm Arnauts(the ones in kilts especially) from their
French in Egypt range. The costume may not be dead on and a bit early
but the closest that you'll find.
I have a bunch painted if you need a pic.
Mike

Mike:

Yes, please do include a picture of yours!

You might want to check out Osprey's Armies of the Ottoman Empire, 1775-1820. It may have some information on irregular troops. Overall since they would be irregular anything goes as far as colors. Officers could have more luxurious clothes while the rank and file maybe more drab.

For Martheloses:
Essex Miniatures has recently re-sculpted their Martheloses figures.

Perry Miniatures makes some really nice Bashi-Bazouks on foot that could double as Martheloses.

I'm still waiting for Osprey to come out with an "Armies of Suleiman the Magnificent". Considering this period was the high water mark of the Ottoman threat to Europe, you'd think it was better served with info in the wargames world, and that it would be more popular! By the way, if you have any decent details on this army, how it fought and was brigaded, I'd be grateful!

Finding out about the navy is fortunately much easier, thanks to Lepanto.

TPC

I'm still waiting for Osprey to come out with an "Armies of Suleiman the Magnificent". Considering this period was the high water mark of the Ottoman threat to Europe, you'd think it was better served with info in the wargames world, and that it would be more popular! By the way, if you have any decent details on this army, how it fought and was brigaded, I'd be grateful!

+1 for me. I think the lack of info on the Ottoman army probably has something to do with how few people read classical Turkish.

Ottoman Military History:

A Military History of the Ottomans: From Osman to Atatürk
link

Ottoman Warfare 1500-1700
link

Andrew

I found some good information on how to paint the Levant figures that I inquired about in an Osprey book I picked up las weekend. It is the Campaign # 191 Vienna 1683.

It is a good book on the subject of Vienna during the campaign of 1683 but it has LOTS of editorial mistakes in the text which makes it awkward to read.

It did clear up the funny looking hats that the Levant troops have. Basically they were wide brimmed red felt hats that had the brims cut into quarters. The rear two were folded down as tails while the front two were folded upwards. They had a sort of white turban wrapped around the hats which held the front two vertically.