"Republican Roman Allies 28mm Questions" Topic

I've painted up two Republican Roman legions to fight my Successors army and am now moving on to the various allies. While the Gauls are easy to come by through several manufacturers and Victrix's Iberian cavalry can be used, I was curious what others were using as information on the allies seems scant. I was thinking of using the Victrix Samnites to represent the various Italian states that sent forces, but was wondering if that was appropriate or if there were better options. Thanks.

Victrix makes a Roman allies legion box set. I'd be inclined to mix the Samnites with the Italian legions.

link

By the time they fought the later Successors I suspect Romans and Italians were quite similar in appearance, although I would probably use Victrix Italian allies for variety.

It is kind of cool to have the Italians look a little different. I used the Aventine Hill Tribes for my Punic Roman Allies.

I have a 28mm Republican Roman army in progress also. I finished up my two legions. For allies I am using Aeotolian Greeks. Thureophoroi, light cavalry with javelin, and javelinmen. I also have my Romans in mind to fight the Macedonians and Seleucids, so Aeotolians seemed to be the best allies. My Romans and Aeotolians are all 28mm from Crusader miniatures.

Pergamon allies would be nice for Romans vs Successors. Gives you the chance to use some good quality Hellenistic lancer cavalry and Thureophoroi.

Aventines Eutruscans make for nice Magna Grecia allies.

Aside from that, what I recall is the Romans were mainly supplied by Greek allies (Aetolian League, Rhodes, Crete?).

I don't recall the Romans using Gauls during this period until the Galatians arive but I could be mistaken.

When fighting the Successors the Romans usually used local allies like Pergamon at Magnesia; Aetolia and other Greeks at Cynoscephhalae; some Numidians, additional Italians, Pergamons, and some Greeks at Pydna. African elephants were also in small numbers at Magnesia and Pydna. Polybius, Livy and in some cases Plutarch are the best ancient sources. Modern general sources would be Lost Battles by Phil Sabin (synopsis of battles, troops involved, and ancient sources) and Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars. As far as I recall, Gauls were not used until Caesar.

I think a key point to remember is how the weather would require the allies to dress.

This might not be a big deal for the Successors's wars, but when people place Numidians dressed for summer daytime in North Africa in Gaul (the battle of Alesia was in September) it just is not right …

I second what Uesugi said about Aventine Etruscans. Take a look. I have about 150 of these models in my Allied Legions (I did this before the Victrix plastics came about). They are very nice and work for Etruscan or Campanians.