The Roman Army is one of the most represented in toy soldiers. Rome dominate for many centuries a very large empire that stretch from the Iberian Peninsula in the west and Mesopotamia in the East. The North frontier was established in the rivers Reno and Danubio.
Bibliography:
Connolly, Peter (1975). O Exército Romano. Ática, 77pp.
Kiley, Kevin F. (2014). An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Uniforms of the Roman World. Lorenz Books, 256pp.
A Call to Arms
The figures from this company are nicely sculpted but the position of the shields are a bit odd. In each box (reference 29) there are a total of 16 figures in only four poses. Unfortunately there is not a single pilum in sight.
The shield surface is completely smooth so you can paint it as you whish.
Conté Collectibles
As the majority of makers the figures produced, represent the Army of the Imperial period characterized by rectangular shields strongly curved.
The name of the company and the reference for each figure are engraved under the base. This figures have references from A1 to A4. The first and second are very similar and rather static, on the contrary figures A3 and A4 are fighting.
Figures B1 to B4 are very dynamic. Figure B4 will not last very long with a spear through his chest. This is not a very common pose. Figure B1 has a round shield and is covered with a wolf skin. It is most probably, a standard bearer but, unfortunately, no standard was provided. Relating to sculpting and moulding it can be said that these are nice figures but not outstanding. The moulding of heads and feet could be improved. However figures poses take advantage of the option of making some parts separate and gluing them to the torso. That operation is done in the factory and only the standard bearer has the option of a rectangular shield and a gladius.
Hät
8017 Roman Triarii (c) 2006
Each box comes with the usual 16 figures in 4 poses. The sculpting is good if not outstanding. The poses are very similar but not very bad for dense formations. Shield decoration is a challenge for painters…
9018 Roman Hastati (c) 1999
The Hastati were a type of light infantry from the Roman Republic. It´s nice to see a company making Roman soldiers that are not the most common Imperial type. As usually the sculpt work is good even if figures are a bit flat.
9021 Roman Cavalry (c) 1999
Cavalry was not the most important element of the Roman army, however it was very important for scout duties and protect the flanks of the army.
Four different cavaliers per box as usual for this maker. A good sculpting work and good historical authenticity.
9118 Roman Velites (c) 1999
In this box of light infantry we get 12 Velites and more 4 Triarii. These are different from those of box 9017. The name “Velites” derives from the fact that these soldiers covered their head and torso with a wolf skin (in Latin “velum“).
The figures are nicely done and show the principal weapon; the javelin. The light infantry avoided the direct contact with the enemy and tried to harass from some distance.
Reamsa
This Spanish company made some cavalry for the Roman army whish is nice because avoids the omnipresent heavy infantry legionary.
Usually figures are marked under the body with the company logo and a reference number. These are n 157 and 166.
References, 170 and 156. Notice the decorated saddle in each horse.
This is probably the General of the army because he carries no shield. Reference 165. The horses had no base and became a little unstable so I made some hood bases.
Russian Maker
I bought some very nice figures from Steve Weston firm that are from an unknown Russian maker. I don’t know the motive for this anonym preference. Are these figures reproduction in plastic from originals in metal ? That´s a possibility. The shields came fixed from factory which allowed for some very nice poses.
As usual with many figures in my collection, bases are not original. The first figure is clearly a centurion and has a beautiful shield decorated with dolphins.
These soldiers belong to the Republican period with oblong shields and chainmail.
The shields are engraved facilitating the paint work.
The helmet of the third figure indicates that he is, probably a centurion.
TSSD – Toy Soldiers San Diego
This American company made also the traditional Imperial Roman soldier with rectangular shield. These figures are from group #22 and were released 2012. All the information is engraved under the base which is a very good option.
The sculpting is good even if figures are a bit unbalanced and need to be glued to a new base in order to enhance stability. There are four different figures including a Centurion with a crest on the helmet. Figures painted by me.
Timpo
Timpo made Roman soldiers of the swopet type.
This is a very nice cavalry figure albeit not historically correct. The shield should be of the round type.
Three different torsos. The third figure is looking sideways which makes it very natural.
The first figure could be Centurion with a larger crest in the helmet.
In my collection I’ve got three different shields.