Essex Miniatures

25mm Macedonians and Greeks

review by Lance McKenzie

The folks at Essex Miniatures must be working over-time lately, for here is yet another new line. These Macedonian and Greek figures are the second addition to the recently initiated range of classical period troops begun with the Thracians. Like all other Essex figures, these are of exceptional quality, and are large when compared to most other manufacturers, Dixon being an exception. Variety is certainly a strong point of this line, and has been enhanced by the use of slight variations on like-posed figures.

For example, the phalangite, MP-18, has three variations listed under MP- 18a. Also, two different companions, other than the officer, two different hypaspists, one thrusting and one in an upright spear/pike position, two different Cretan archers, and a myriad of assorted hoplites are available. The hoplites are one of the highlights, as there must be at least thirty different ones available. They represent the major city-states, and some of the differences are very subtle, for example two figures may be different in that one may have a beard, while the other does not. Hoplite and phalangite shields are cast separately. A draped version of the hoplon is available, and looks very nice. The two Cretan archers are interesting as one wears a standard linen corselet, while the other has a padded version. If this causes problems, then MP-22, Macedonian archer, can be used, as he is unarmored. Also, the crossbowman may be undesirable since he is carrying a standard crossbow, and not the gastraphetes (belly-bow).

Peltasts will be available, probably by the time this article is read, and will probably be of a nice assortment. These, together with the soon-to- be- released Indians and Persian missile-men, will enable the gamer to field virtually any of the early Macedonian, as well as the later Greek armies. These figures are tops, and will be very tough to beat, both on, and off, the table.

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