"15mm Nabateans (Petra)" Topic

Hi

I have a fancy to create a Nabataean army, for DBA and possibly as an allied force to help or oppose the Romans.

DBA has a list and so does FoG, and they hint at a few 'Companion' type cavalry supported by some horse archers and lots of foot archers, but I am puzeled by what figures to use.

I would have started with an Essex DBA army, but none is listed so any suggestions much appreciated.TIA

Pete

I generally don't recommend Essex (I find their figures a touch dull and predictable) … however …

My understanding of 'Nabataean' is that it means Aramaic culture Arab, and that for 'ordinary' Nabataeans, 'pre-Islamic' Arab figures are thought to be a reasonable match.

If you have military elites in the collection I presume they will look like the military elites of their era (Hellenistic military elites will look Hellenistic/Maccabean, Roman period will probably look Romanised or maybe a touch Parthian or early Palmyran …?)…

But for the bulk of an army, I'd be tempted by those Essex Pre-islamic figures … link

Hope that helps, Pete …

Phil

Donnington Miniatures make a specific Nabataean range. Checkout shop.ancient-modern.co.uk/nabataeans-35-c.asp
Cheers,
Geoff.

I stuck Nabateans into Google Images. Mostly it'd pictures of Petra but I think these must be there for the Tourists. I don't know how authentic they are

link

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The donington minis are very nice.

I'm quite impressed by the Donnington New Era ranges but the Nabateans are in the original range that the current owner acquired. My experience is that quality is mixed. I wouldn't want to buy sight unseen but when I queried certain figures (Norman I think) I was sent pictures.

For the 'companions' this link gives some clues.
It is Palmyran rather than Nabataean and though there are some similarities in culture, the further east you get, the more you get trousers being worn. It also post dates the end of the Nabataean kingdom. However, the helmet is pretty much Hellenistic in style, so may give a clue to appearance. Could be that a standard Hellenistic companion would work.
Another option depends on whether the Nabs started using shields. In this case, if you want 15mm, you could use something like Essex of Old Glory Jewish heavy cavalry which are Hellenistic with a dash of eastern style – they have a lamellar cuirass as shown on various Arabo-aramaean statues.
Xyston's would also work and have the advantage of lacking a shield if you didn't want it but a) may not mix sizewise with what else you are using and b) you may have to ask Xyston if you can have all unarmoured horses. Some of the rest of their Jewish range would also work though more for the settled individuals who have become more hellenised.

For traditional arab garb, as worn by a camel driver in a surviving Nab mosaic IIRC, the range from Lancashire is one of their better ones, though some suffer from weak ankles.

The older Donnington figures in general were good figures. The only issue now may be that the molds have too much wear although I would guess the Nabateans would not have been used as heavily as those for more popular armies.

Chris

The ARMY OF HEROD THE GREAT Osprey may help

@Yesthatphil – I'm afraid that there is nothing Aramaean about the Nabataeans, neither in their names, nor their lifestyle. Pre-Islamic Arabs yes, Aramaeans, no.

However, miniature-wise, I think the Judaean/Maccabean range by Xyston would be quite suitable. Hellenised Semitic heavy cavalry, nice light infantry, lots of fun archer types. Looks the treat.

I used other ranges from Xyston before the Judaeans were released. if I did it again, I'd use the new figures.

link

I'm afraid that there is nothing Aramaean about the Nabataeans

OK – sorry … Non-Aramaic Arabs who wrote, as I understood, in Aramaic and used Aramaic on their coins … (shouldn't have simplified that as 'Aramaic culture Arab')

Thanks for all the comments above.

I went ahead and ordered from Donnington, and have now completed the first unit of archers.

They are the 'originals' figures, but apart from needing a bit of flash trimming off they are fine.

I know there is a full list for them in the DBM book, but in FoG they are an allied force only but I wonder is there an 'unofficial' Fog list for them as a full army somewhere ?

Is there a full list for them in the DBMM lists as well ?

Does anyone know if there is there a list for them in any other rules set ?

Thanks,

Pete

Pete, I did an unofficial list for Aramaeans for FOG a few months ago. If you are still interested, send me a PM and I will email it to you.