The Citizens of Tarquinia

My Etruscan 1^st class citizen hoplites (Rasenna as they called themselves) are now ready for battle, joining the 2^nd class hoplites previously painted.

These are proper citizens of wealth, good standing, and refined tastes — not the hoi polloi fielded by the Romans and other lesser mortals with their dangerously radical republican ideas.

The Rasenna can afford full hoplite panoply and decorate their shields, armour and helmets to display their wealth and prestige. The figures are a mix of Victrix, Agema and Footsore Romans, Greeks, Macedonians, Italians and Etruscans — both metal and plastic. See On to Rome for more on how I put the figures together.

Etruscan paintings from the 4^th and 3^rd centuries BC usually depict warriors in red tunics but blue and white also occasionally crop up. In Armies of the Macedonian and Punic wars, Duncan Head wrote: “It is tempting to connect [Etruscan white tunics edged in purple or crimson] with the purple edged white togas of the Roman aristocracy.” I have been so tempted, giving the more aristocratic men white tunics with purple or crimson borders.

The axeman in the rear rank is perhaps a bit anachronistic for 4^th C BC but he is a handy fellow to have on hand if there are some Roman prisoners in need of ritual execution.

The shields are a mix of hand painted and Little Big Man transfers. Most surviving paintings depict white plumes with red at the bottom and I have kept to a white and red colour scheme for these men’s helmet plumes.

Last but certainly not least is the King of Tarquinia accompanied by a lictor and standard bearer. The King’s Corinthian helmet is rather old fashioned but it provides a fine display of power and authority. Perhaps it is a family heirloom. Most likely when battle begins he will swap it for an open faced helmet so he can actually see what is going on. The Etruscans apparently used animal standards (much like the Romans). The horse standard came from my spares box and seemed appropriate.

Painted at the same time is this Greek hoplite which will be a present for my grandson. The gorgon head shield is hand painted and it is a surprisingly easy design to paint.