Men of Bronze
I have just finished painting my first Hoplite unit for Alala! and the Society of Ancients Mantinea Battle Day. These are Newline Designs...
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Simon MacDowall
- Nov 1, 2022
- 2 min
Alala! at the Society of Ancients Conference
Last weekend I gave my Alala! Hoplite game its third outing at the Society of Ancients Conference. For me this event is the highlight of...
183 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Oct 24, 2022
- 3 min
Theban hamippoi on the painting table
in preparation for the Society of Ancients Mantinea Battle Day, I have been painting up Greek cavalry and light troops to supplement Pete...
72 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Oct 20, 2022
- 1 min
More Hoplite Action
Yesterday we managed to get a second test game of Alala! hoplite rules in before the upcoming Society of Ancients Conference. It was...
110 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Oct 12, 2022
- 2 min
Alala!
I have been working on some new simple rules for Hoplite battles which I call Alala! — from the ancient Greek war cry. I will use these...
689 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Sep 12, 2022
- 1 min
Forward back to the past
Second Mantinea (362 BC) will be the next battle featured at the 2023 Society of Ancients Battle Day. This has provided me with my next...
136 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Sep 4, 2022
- 3 min
The Battle for Rocroi
It has been 5 years in the making but finally I had painted up all the troops I needed to refight the battle of Rocroi (1643) between the...
588 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 12, 2022
- 2 min
The Last Recruits for Rocroi
After a painting pause I have completed all the foot regiments I need to re-fight Rocroi (1643). We will run the game 1 September and I...
96 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 11, 2022
- 1 min
New Scenarios
I have been adding various game scenarios to that section of my website. The latest is Pydna -- the classic clash between Roman Legions...
83 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 27, 2022
- 2 min
Late Roman costume from the mosaics
A Sicilian highlight for anyone with an interest in the later Roman period is the incredible mosaics at Piazza Armerina. These 4th C AD...
593 views6 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 26, 2022
- 1 min
A Sicilian Interlude
I have been absent from both the Wargames and Painting tables for some time due to a variety of factors, one of which was a holiday in...
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Simon MacDowall
- Jun 10, 2022
- 3 min
Life and Death on the Shore of Lake George
The skirmishes of the French and Indian War have long held a fascination for me. The Last of the Mohicans was one of my favourite books...
84 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 6, 2022
- 1 min
Cuirassiers with Blackened Armour
I am quite pleased with the way these 17th Century Alsatian cuirassiers have turned out — their blackened armour set off with a limited...
106 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 2, 2022
- 2 min
Flags for Rocroi
The wonderful little museum at Rocroi has some interesting illustrations of flags carried by the combatants at the 1643 battle. As I am...
323 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 29, 2022
- 1 min
Cromwell helps the French
The latest scenario uploaded to my website is a prelude to the Battle of the Dunes. Set in 1657 it involves an uneasy alliance between...
108 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 18, 2022
- 1 min
Investigating Rocroi
Preparations for staging the Battle of Rocroi continue despite the fact that I am away from the painting table for a few days in northern...
124 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 15, 2022
- 1 min
The Vandals, now in paperback
I am delighted that my first book in the Conquerors of Rome series — The Vandals, has been reprinted in paperback by Pen & Sword Books. I...
290 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 24, 2022
- 2 min
The King Makes a Stand at Newbury
It is 27 October 1644 and the fate of England hangs in the balance. Having relived Donnington Castle, King Charles I stands his ground at...
199 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 23, 2022
- 1 min
Reinforcements for Rocroi
Italians, Burgundians and Germans fresh off the painting table, ready to join the Spanish Army at Rocroi (1643). The Italians (left) and...
150 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 13, 2022
- 1 min
New Game Scenarios
I have been gradually repopulating the wargames scenarios available to download from my website. The latest to be added is Freeman's...
169 views0 comments
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