Joining the 'Arena Race' Part 2

Construction has progressed for my 'barbaric' wooden arena set in the outer fringes and frontier outpost of the Republic / Empire. Images that inspired me from recent films like Centurion has given me great ideas for the overall look and feel.

I love all the look of the rough hewn timber. 

With these images fresh in my mind and those lessons learned from the massing model I then incorporated improvements to the finish model. Namely a taller height for the Governor's Box. It makes the addition of the portcullis gate opening more proportional thus allowing me to add more details and embellishments to this structure. 

Available foam that I had laying around in my scrap pile that forms the structural core to be clad in wood. 

Thankfully, this project has used most of my Popsicle sticks from the 80s.

For the Governor's Box, I decided to use pavers to represent an upgraded flooring material. Nothin' but the best for the Governor. BTW - material used for this was acquired from the Doll House department at my local craft store. They're sheets of embossed styrene that represent ceramic bathroom tiles.

Base color applied and ready for a much needed dry brushing and weathering. 

Side by side comparison: weather or not?

Dry bush and ink wash cycle (lather, rinse and repeat) to get the desired effect. Here's where the warping effect actually aided in the overall look and feel of weathered wood brought out by dry brushing. 

Almost done.

Joining the 'Arena Race' Part 1

With all the great examples and inspiration from both Hetairoi (http://hetairoiwargames.blogspot.com/2011/03/gladiator-arena-finished.html) and Soldat (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=223283) of recently completed arenas I realized that I needed to build my very own! I was fortunate enough to have played in Soldat's arena which he brought over for game day last week (http://thehistoricalminiaturist.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-is-game-day.html). At that point I was hooked and sorely convinced that I needed to start abuilding.


First things first, deciding on the general shape of my arena. Having played on Soldat's arena taught me a few lessons. Its rectilinear shape made more practical sense. I also wanted to model the viewing stands and Governor's Box on just the one side for ease of playing. Finally, I didn't want to build things that I didn't feel necessary especially if it could be represented by alternate means and can be easily acquired. 


For my arena floor I chose a cork bulletin board with a very fine cork texture because:  

1. the rectilinear shape allowed for better storage and portability,
2. it had a big enough area for my minis to battle in,
3. the color and texture of the cork simulated sand very well
4. and it's premade. :D

Bottom line: it satisfied my criteria from a purely functional, practical and aesthetic stand point. And you know I'm all about the eye candy.

17" x 23" Bulletin Board easily available at most craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Forgive the lack of focus.

Relative to the recent and excellent examples mentioned above I also wanted to model my arena on the outer fringes of the Republic / Empire. Some backwater hellhole and outpost on the frontier bordering the barbarian lands. 

What that translates to, IMHO, is an arena mostly constructed of wood with minimal stone or marble since those materials would be slated (pun intended) for priority items such as walls and the Governor's villa.

Foam mock-up and massing model.

Close up of the Governor's Box.

Materials - Popsicle sticks I've had since the 80s and other assorted wood bits, fabric and other miscellaneous items I've found at my local craft store. 

Very important tool and an absolute must for scratch build projects. 

Detail studies.

Palisade and portcullis.

After the obligatory massing model was completed and studies done I proceeded to the construction of the actual stadium stands.

If you look carefully, you can see the mock up and massing model beyond.

Stands completed and ready for painting.

Warping was unavoidable but a welcome effect nonetheless.

Construction continues in earnest...

Saturday is Game Day

This past Saturday we met up at my house aka the man cave and treehouse where we finally got to play on Dave's (aka Soldat) Capuan Arena. 

We populated it with my Gladiators, Dave's and Willy's. No actual spectator figures at the moment but maybe at a future date.

From left to right: Decimus Maximus the Spaniard (Dave's single combatant from Reaper) looking on as my lads (circular bases) and Willy's yet unnamed scoundrels (square bases) from a rival ludus mix it up. 

The home team is on the far end, the visitors in the foreground and the gallery is populated by another contingent of Willy's gladiators from the Heroscape line.  

Aside from the Arena fight, Willy brought along his Vikings again and I couldn't resist putting them on my Long Ship for a photo shoot.

On my table for some test shots. Notice Dave's Arena in the background.

Great detail shot of Willy's Vikings.

Big difference with blue backdrop...

and some cropping.

Another close up.

Sailing into fog.

A more appropriate backdrop for these marauding raiders!

Never walk
away from home
ahead of your axe and sword.
You can't feel a battle
in your bones
or foresee a fight.*

* from 'The Havamal' or Book of Viking Wisdom.

Fierce Gladiators of the House of Franciscus

With duplicate poses I had to paint them a little differently and use a variety of shield types and slight weapons modifications. Identification below will feature the Gladiator's name and type in parenthesis. So without further ado here's the lineup of the pride of my Ludus:  

From left to right: Priscus (Dimachaerus), Verus (Dimachaerus), Ajax (Hoplomachus), Montanus (Murmillo) 

From left to right: Crescens (Thracian), Pugnacious (Thracian), Attilius (Hoplomachus), Hilarius (Hoplomachus)

From left to right: Promiscuous (Retiarius), Dubious (Laquearius), Loquacious (Retiarius)

From left to right: Raucous (Hoplomachus), Caucus (Hoplomachus)

From left to right: Netflixos (Retiarius), Attalos (Venator) 

Rear shot to show off the fine detailing of armor and weaponry. And yes, Netflixos is holding a spike on his left.

Now on to the action. 

A deadly game of cutthroat where both Attilius the spear wielding Hoplomachus (left) and Montanus (Murmillo) has ganged up on lone Promiscuous (Retiarius), a hapless victim, or is he?

The crowd roars with anticipation of this match up: Hoplomachus vs Hoplomachus
Who will be victorious: sword wielding Ajax or spear thrusting Raucus? 
*Please pardon this unfocused shot. The photographer got jostled by the over zealous crowd.*

Head to head with Attalos the Goblin and Loquacious (Retiarius).

Pugnacious (Thracian) goes after Verus (Dimachaerus)

Another angle as Pugnacious and Verus circle each other.

The crowd screams with blood lust as Verus severes Pugnacious' sword arm! 

Meanwhile at the other end of the arena: will Netflixos (Retiarius) snag Priscus (Dimachaerus)? 

Another deadly game of cutthroat.
This time it's Dubious (Laquearius) versus a team up of Pugnacious the Thracian (top) and Hilarius (Hoplomachus).

After vanquishing Pugnacious (who is immediately replaced by Caucus), Dubious is still menaced by Hilarius whose approaching his blind side. No rest for the wicked!

Montanus the Murmillo now goes after Raucus.

The fight continues as Montanus parries a desperate spear thrust by Raucus on his shield.

Montanus makes quick work of Raucus and finally faces off with Hilarius.