Chariot Miniatures produces a small but qualitative line of Italian miniatures. The figures are readily compatible in size with Essex Romans and Carthaginians, forming a colorful contingent of allies for either. In the alternative, they form a surprising Greek army recruited from Magna Graecia. One could use them in an Italian army but that does seem plebeian.

IT1 is described as an Oscan hoplite. The figure is armed with a javelin and carries a circular shield of hoplon or greater size that appears to be made of woven osiers. The figure wears a triple disk cuirass. The figure wears the typical short Italian tunic.

IT2 is described as a hoplite with an Etrusco-Corinthian helmet. The figure is armed with a javelin and carries a hoplon. The figure wears a typical bell cuirass and greaves. The helmet is a particularly good example of a Corinthian helmet with the usual Etruscan plumage. This is one of the three bearded figures in the range, the other two being the mounted figures described below.

IT3 is described as an Etruscan hoplite with Montefortino helmet. The figure carries a small hoplon and a very clearly executed pilum with the pins easily painted.

IT4 is an Oscan cavalry man. He wears an Attic helmet with the cheek pieces modified by the addition of three disks. The figure wears a single disk and carries an oval shield with a clear cable rim. The figure wears greaves and carries a javelin. The horse is small and finely detailed in both the trotting and galloping stances.

IT5 is a Campanian cavalry man. The figure wears a Thracian helmet with a crest and double plumes. The figure is unarmored with a tunic belted at the waist. He carries a javelin in a rather curious pose in which the point of the javelin rests on the interior of his thigh. (Should his horse miss a stride, this man will never procreate). He wears typical Greek cavalry boots.

IT6 (an Etruscan javelinman) is the best psiloi armed with javelin and wearing a causia that I have seen in any range. This slender casting seems to communicate light infantry. He wears a short Italian tunic with the usual vee over the groin and typical Greek boots.

IT7 is billed as light infantry (Oscan javelinman) but appears in my hoplite units. He has the same tunic as IT6 and belts it at the waist. He carries a javelin and a small hoplon. All of the hoplons in this range have a clearly defined rim. He wears greaves, sandals, and an Attic helmet. The cheekpieces of the Attic helmet have a triple disk addition. The helmet sports a crest and double plumes. He wears the usual Italian tunic.

IT8 (an Apulian javelinman) wears the usual Italian tunic and carries both javelin and a large hoplon. He is also armed with a sword of sufficient length worn on a baldric over his right shoulder. He wears boots and does not have a helmet.

All of the figures are very well executed with little or no flash. The detail is crisp and easy to paint. The alloy takes wear well with even the shafts of the javelins proving resistant to injury. The mounted figures do not mix well in the same unit with Essex figures as the horses are less robust than the typical Essex horse but do look well on the same tabletop. All in all, I highly recommend this range even though the manufacturer's claim that he does not engage in animal testing is probably spurious. (I personally have observed him baiting Gussie Finknottle at conventions and will so testify under oath if called upon to do so. )

The range can be acquired directly from Pharaohs Arms, c/o David and Gail Jackson, P.O. Box 579, Merrickville, Ontario, Canada (613-269-2557).

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© Copyright 1996 by Terry Gore

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