Well, seeing as we've released several Assyrian miniatures over the last few weeks, it would be remiss of us not to give them something to fight – enter the first release for our Babylonian range! These light infantry skirmishers are ideal for use as either Arameans or Chaldeans.
The Aramaeans and Chaldeans inhabited the marshlands of southern Babylonia, and were formed into numerous tribes. The Chaldeans were said to be more organized than the Aramaeans. By the time of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the two cultures would have influenced each other quite heavily, as well as being influenced by the Babylonians and probably the Assyrians that claimed ownership of the region.
A few reliefs on show at the British Museum show the Assyrian army on campaign in southern Babylon. Their opponents appear to be quite lightly armed and armored. They all wear headbands and have some variety in dress, either with tassels hanging from their waist or decorating the hem of the kilt. The tasseled tunics are typical of Assyrian dress, but could be the fringe or pompons of the early Aramaean tribes.
As with most armies at the time, archers seem to have made up the majority of the infantry. When not fighting behind a protective screen of spearmen, archers would probably operate in loose formations. These would have been perfectly suited to fighting in the dense marshland of southern Babylon, where rebels put up a strong resistance. They are equipped with simple composite bows and a small sidearm for close quarters.