Roman Civil War

[Dave2024]

In this diorama my goal was to capture Rome’s greatest opponent in the early Imperial Period – itself. The civil war in 69 AD saw legion battle legion, but with red shields being the overwhelming preference of the time it took some research to dig out the needle in the haystack I needed to build a model that could be easily interpreted.

Approved in 68 AD before his death, Nero created Legio I Adiutrix from marines and sailors of the Misenum fleet. The legion didn’t take hold and come into play until used by Emperor Ortho in 69 AD in what would be known as the Year of the Four Emperors. What makes this legion so special is its naval heritage, which they paid homage to by using blue shields.

Being sent north from Rome to stop the legions of Vitellius, they were eventually defeated. The scene here captures a minor skirmish at a mountain pass being held by the I Adiutrix in blue being overwhelmed by legion XXI Rapax in red. History will document the great battles between the two armies with losses in the thousands. This model is an imaginary footnote of the types of stalling and harassing tactics that would have been used to delay Vitellius’s forces as they advanced south.

In all there are 250 figures. I hope you enjoy!

[Peter]

A fantastic diorama with lots of excellent painted figures! Love this!

Can you specify what brand of figures you have used?

[Dave2024]

In order to vary it up I try to use figures from several of the Roman sets available as well as 3D printed. In this model there’s 2 sets from Caesar Miniatures (my favorite injection molded), 3 from Hat, and then Italeri, Zvezda (the testudo), and Orion each have a good one for legionaries. Linear-A has 2 newer 3D printed sets with the best standard-bearers and commanders available.

Lastly and my absolute favorite figures these days I’m getting 3D printed from Maskirovka Gaming. It’s a 1 person shop. I’ve been working with the owner Lori and she’s been willing to scale any of the 3D prints available for sale on-line down to 1/72 for me. I have to buy the designs which cost $5 or $6 for a set, but the quality of the figures has been outstanding. It’s opened up a new world of figures to work with! If you’re interested her email is maskirovkagaming@gmail.com. I’ve found the best figures to be scaled down to 1/72 are coming from 3D Breed.

[Peter]

Thank you Dave that is very useful information!

[sberry]

A fantastic work, in so many different aspects: The paintjob is excellent, the groundwork and the photography, too.
But I also appreciate that this work has a historical background, which is not often presented in dioramas.

[elsi]

I love the Roman Empire. Your work is impressive, very, very beautiful. I'm delighted.

[C M Dodson]

Beautiful work with exceptional painting and landscaping.

The shields are fabulous.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Susofrick]

Thought I saw some Esci, but at a closer look I was wrong. Love these dios!

[Santi Pérez]

Dave, I can't agree more with all the praise the others have heaped on you.

Although, given your previous projects, we should by now be used to your epic dioramas featuring a host of magnificently painted Romans set in spectacular scenaries, it’s impossible not to be amazed and awestruck by this new and gorgeus work.

I love how you’ve managed to combine figures from such a wide range of manufacturers, bringing them together through the uniform design of the shields, armours and clothes so that the differences—which seem so striking on the unpainted figures—are barely noticeable in the whole thing.

My warmest congratulations – you’ve really outdone yourself again.

Santi.

[Iceman1964]

Wow Dave, your diorama left me breathless !
Despite the huge dimensions and the number of figures, all of them are finely painted in all smaller details.
And the diorama grounding and background are lovely.
I consider this work a masterpiece, best compliments .

[MABO]

I can only second what the others had written. Great work in any aspects! Supercool.