"Archaic Greek Hoplites in 28mm" Topic

Are there any manufacturers that produce archaic Greek style hoplites? I am looking for some 28mm hoplites that are in bronze armor, some with the arm and leg pieces, and Corinthian or earlier types of helmets. Looking at the current lines, even Victrix, they all seem rather generic 5th and even 4th century.

Kyle

Look at the metal range of figures from Warlord I think they have 1 or 2 packs with all metal archaic armour if I remember correctly, their helmets had the older Corinthian helmets too, think it was part of a ancients line they bought out a few years ago so not sure if they are in production (What's happened to the other plastics released by wargames Factory? Any updated Mr Warlord Games?)

Foundry has one pack that will work. They are one of the 12 figure packs all in the same pose.

Minifigs GP1 is based on the 600BC hoplite from Armies of the Greek and Persian Wars – but 25mm

link

One of the ex-Immortal, now Warlord, plastic hoplite sets has arm pieces with armour, groin plates, a Boeotian shield and lots of the older style helmets – all meant for creating hoplites from the earlier period.

My recollection is that those pieces are only a small portion of the box contents (maybe on the command sprue). Making a unit with those would be difficult, umfortinately.

Curteys/1st Corps has hoplites in bell cuirass.

link

I've been working on the Warlord ones, Ancient Greek Hoplites.

There are 5 main sprues and 1 command. There is one body per sprue with the bronze breastplate.

I was wondering the same thing you are as I was considering retiring the plastics and finding some similar metals.

Would the Gorgon Studios Etruscans work?

Is there a Hoplite expert out there?

Delbruck: thanks for reminding me about the 1st Corps packs.

Pattus Magnus: the ex-Immortal figs are nice, but tiny compared to most 28mm lines. Plus, I don't want all the other "later" types.

I will also take a look at the Foundry version.

If by "archaic" you mean 6th century BC, you'll be looking at bell cuirass and such.

You probably won't have much luck in "heroic" 28mm, though the Gorgon Etruscans and some of their Spartans could serve.

Warlord/Immortal has miniatures that suit in metal though they are slight of build.

1st Corps has plenty here: link

They are remodelling their range. Unfortunately, the first revisions are sword-bearing hoplites. Not so popular.

I think 1st Corps and Warlord/Immortal are of comparable build.

Good luck.

Old Glory hoplites have Corinthian helmets and leather currass?

Wargames Factory may be good?

Hi ether drake

Yes, archaic hoplites would be the 6th century variety, which as you mentioned would have the bell cuirass etc.

The Gorgon Etruscan hoplites are some of what I am looking at. I don't care for their Spartans because they don't even have greaves for some reason.

The 1st Corps figs also look like a good fit.

Hi xenophon,

I'd take another look at Gorgon. At least half of their Spartan infantry codes have greaves, though the one with a bell cuirass doesn't. Not too hard to fix with green stuff to add a rim to the leg.

Greaves were not ubiquitous amongst 6th century BC hoplites. Equipment was based on personal wealth and also considerations of mobility.

Many famous surviving archaeological examples of 'archaic hoplites' are without greaves.

Here is a greaveless Lakonian warrior statue from the Sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona:
link

A similar one from the British Museum:

And another:

Greaves were in frequent use until the late 5th century, but I think you can comfortably mix in greaves and the greaveless for the 6th century.

Hi ether drake:

I could live with a few of the Spartan hoplites without greaves if that also had had the bell corselet. However, their packets include 3 figures with the linothorax and only 1 with the bell.

I looked at these once because it seems like the long "Spartan" hair style was quite common outside of Sparta during the Archaic period.

It would also be nice to have some other helmet options like the types that the figurines that you included had as well.

Then I think 1st Corps is probably your best bet.

Note that Wargames Factory is currently out of production until Warlord decides otherwise.

Re the Warlord/ex Immortal Hoplites – the musician figure seems to have some strange 'thing' on his head and face – it looks like some kind of brace. The box art shows it painted as metallic, so I assume its not a casting issue – but does anyone know what exactly it's supposed to be?

The strap on the double aulos is an phorbeiá, usually leather and designed to support the lips and mitigate strain on the cheeks from puffing enough air to operate two reed pipes.

It's not an early version of this

Wow! Thanks Ether Drake – you beat Google hands down!

Note that Wargames Factory is currently out of production until Warlord decides otherwise.

They may still be available from Caliver books in the UK link