"Basing my Byzantines?" Topic

Over the weekend I purchased a 15mm Byzantine army back from a friend to whom I had sold it to some 10 years ago. The army reflects an older, less developed painting style of mine, and it is currently (badly) based for another game system. But with any luck, a bit of touch-up work work, and a complete re-basing job I'll have a usable Nikephorian Byzantine army for Field of Glory within a week or two. (2014 is going to be "FoG Year" for me, so I am trying to gather up a variety of armies to play)

But here is the question….

How should I flock the bases on this army? Would it be more appropriate to use my current "generic green dominant" basing method, or should I use my desert basing instead? Obviously, the Byzantines, were located in the middle east, but I'm unclear as to the terrain they usually found themselves fighting in during the 10th century.

From a purely artistic stand point, the vibrant reds and blues that dominate the army would probably look better against the light "desert" basing. But what would be more historically correct?

Thanks.

Martin

Much of the Empire was based in Turkey and South Eastern Europe (The Balkans?) so I would go with a mostly green scheme with maybe some dirt and rocks.

Byzantine armies in 10/11th century fought in several theaters: balcans, middle east, southern italy and anatolia.
Whichever basing you choose from these areas is good. I agree that a light toned basing would improve the army look.
Rgds
Lorenzo

Some areas of the Middle East and the Mediterranean are surpringly green. I have a theory that, these areas being more fertile (and therefore richer and more heavily populated), they might well have been fought over more often than the moe barren lands. Having said that, my Byzantines have more of a desert/scrub-type basing.

I think it depends more on the figures. Darker figures, lighter base. Lighter figures, darker base. My Crusaders look good on arid brown. My Late Romans on a darker green.

The Colonel

I have used the desert/scrub basing too with some patches of green static grass added. I like the look!

Thanks for the input, all.

Since both of my usual basing styles are historically appropriate, I'll probably go with the "desert/arid" flocking style as it will bring out the bright colors better.

Martin