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Naked Greeks
Did Greek Hoplites ever fight naked? There are plenty of depictions on vases that suggest they did. Most people believe this to be an...
Simon MacDowall
Apr 271 min read
42 views
0 comments


The Last Spartans
The last Spartan unit is painted.
Simon MacDowall
Nov 29, 20241 min read
66 views
1 comment


Spartans take to the water
The Athenians defend against a Spartan amphibious landing at Pylos -- an 'Alala! game/
Simon MacDowall
Nov 23, 20243 min read
78 views
2 comments


Athenians ready for battle
Painting a unit of Athenians for 'Alala!
Simon MacDowall
Nov 15, 20242 min read
280 views
1 comment


Polishing the bronze
Painting bronze shields and armour on Ancient Greeks
Simon MacDowall
Nov 3, 20242 min read
41 views
0 comments


Fortune favours the brave
Alala at the Society of Ancients Convention
Simon MacDowall
Oct 29, 20242 min read
98 views
0 comments


Alexander wins the day
Athens and Thebes have united to fight for Greek liberty against Philip of Macedon's growing power. The armies meet near Chaeronea. Using...
Simon MacDowall
Oct 15, 20243 min read
165 views
6 comments


Greek Mercenary Hoplites
Needing more Greek hoplites that could slot into any army I have just painted up a unit of mercenaries. The white shields and some...
Simon MacDowall
Oct 9, 20241 min read
47 views
0 comments


'Alala! is launched
My rules for Greek Hoplite battles have now been published by the Society of Ancients. They are available from the Society website here....
Simon MacDowall
Feb 24, 20241 min read
107 views
0 comments


Mini Mantinea
A number of our group were unable to make it to the Society of Ancients Battle Day. Therefore I put on another Mantinea game with Alala!...
Simon MacDowall
Apr 26, 20232 min read
100 views
1 comment


Both sides win and lose
Last weekend I put on an Alala! game at the 19th Society of Ancients Battle Day featuring 2nd Mantinea (362 BC). As ever, the day was...
Simon MacDowall
Apr 5, 20233 min read
335 views
9 comments


From Ancient to Medieval Greeks
I have shifted focus from the 4th C BC to the 11th C AD. This is down to a planned Siege of Antioch game (1st Crusade) in January and...
Simon MacDowall
Dec 19, 20222 min read
209 views
4 comments


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...
Simon MacDowall
Nov 8, 20221 min read
119 views
4 comments


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...
Simon MacDowall
Nov 1, 20222 min read
223 views
3 comments


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...
Simon MacDowall
Oct 24, 20223 min read
181 views
7 comments


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...
Simon MacDowall
Oct 20, 20221 min read
154 views
2 comments


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...
Simon MacDowall
Oct 12, 20222 min read
1,180 views
4 comments
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