Army Lists (2nd edition)

I/56 Kyrenean Greek 630–74BCE

(a) 630–314 BCE:  1xLCh or 3Cv or 4Sp Gen, 2xLCh, 2xLCh//4Sp, 4x4Sp, 3x2Ps.

(b) 313–74 BCE:  1x3Kn Gen, 2x4Pk or 4Ax, 6x4Sp, 3x2Ps.

If the Pike stands are treated as Spears, this army can also be fielded as:

II/5 Later Hoplite Greek

(h) Siciliot 450–235BCE:  1xSp(Gen), 1x3Cv, 7x4Sp, 3x2Ps.

(i) Other 450–275BCE:  1xSp(Gen), 1x3Cv or 4Sp, 7x4Sp, 2x4Sp or 4Ax or 2Ps, 1x2Ps.

Background

Cyrene, Kyrene, or better transliterated from ancient Greek as Kurene was a Greek colony on the coast of Africa between Egypt and Carthage. It was originally founded from the island of Thera, itself an older colony of Sparta. Kurene maintained close social ties with Thera, Sparta and other Doric states including Krete and Rhodes. It was also cosmopolitan with ties to the rest of the Hellenic world.

Unique amongst Classical Hellenic states, Kurene uses four-horse light chariots like their Libyan neighbors, and carts to transport heavily armed hoplites across the North African landscape.

For this wargaming army, most of the hoplites wear the Spartan open style pilos helmet. Although a few cosmopolitan citizens sport Korinthian ones with cheek guards. This reflects Kurene’s close cultural ties with Sparta and is also a practical choice for troops in Africa. Only the cart-borne hoplites and members of the General’s guard wear the heavy bronze cuirass. The Psiloi are Kretan archers. (Rhodian slingers or Libyan javelineers would also be appropriate hired troops.)

Shield designs were individually chosen by each soldier. Designs here are inspired from Greek art (not specific historical shields, those belonged to other soldiers), and a few from the contemporary Egyptian zodiac illustrations of their neighbors.

Figures

15mm figures, including charioteeers by Xyston.  Chariots by Essex.  Spears 1/16” brass wire, javelins .020 mil brass wire, spear heads hammered out.  About half the spears also have butt spikes hammered out.

While the Xyston figures are beautifully sculpted, they are a freaking pain to prepare!  They are cast without spears in their hands.  I don’t mind this, since I usually replace cast metal spears with brass ones anyway.  But the hands weren’t cast in an open position so that spears could just be glued in.  A little hole had to be drilled in each spear hand, and the metal alloy used is very hard and time-consuming to drill out.  Grr.  I love the way this army looks.  But I’ll never use Xyston figures again.

The 3 regular LCh in the list, are Essex MEPA81, Libyan 4H chariot.  The yokes for the horses are carved from plastic, they were not included.  The two dismounting LCh are BSE91, Infantry cart w/driver.  Scratch-built plastic sides added to look better with standing hoplite figures.  Chariot drivers and javelineers converted from Xyston peltasts and a general.  Drivers’ whips made from .020 mil brass wire.  (Note: the Essex Kyrenean army pack includes the wrong type of chariots; it only has generic 2H curved body chariots.)

The priestesses in the camp are converted from Xyston tribal womenfolk, and accompanied by Xyston musicians.  The rock formation is made from layers of balsa wood and putty.

Generals: Cv/Kn, LCh, and Sp options — Ho Strategos

4-Horse Light Chariots — Ta Tethrippa

Infantry Carts with Dismounted Hoplites — Hoi Nautoi (The Mariners) & Hoi Hetairoi (The Companions)

Hoplites: Each stand is banded together by their shield themes, from left to right in the front view — Hoi Tureuteres (The Jokers), Hoi Oikoi (The Household Guard) Hoi Aphristeis (The Dolphin Guard), & Hoi Poloi (The rest of the Gang).

Psiloi

Pikes & Auxilia — The trident shields are for Tritonis, the God of the salt lake Triton in Libya; the Lion shields are for the Nymph Kyrene who was wrestling a lion that was attacking her father’s sheep when Apollon saw her and fell in love..

Camp