Sons of Mars Wargames

The beginnings of my current gladiator project actually go back about fifteen years or so. At that time I was lucky enough to receive a set of six 54mm gladiators for my birthday. These were from a company called Alpha Miniatures in New Zealand and consisted of a Murmillo, a Provocator, a Secutor, a Thraex, a Hoplomachus and a Retiarius. For various reasons these have remained unpainted all these years; that is until now. As detailed in previous posts, the Thraex, Hoplomachus and Retiarius form the basis of my fledgling ludus. Hopefully, the remaining three will join Familia Proximo in due course. Murmillo front Murmillo rear Provocator front Provocator rear Secutor front Secutor At the time I thought that, as these were such nice models, my rudimentary painting skills could not do them justice. However, my current thinking is that it would be a shame not to play with them (they are toys after all) for want of a good paint job. As it turned out I'...

Having completed the first phase of my arena some weeks ago I thought it about time to get some blood on the sands, as it were. As Proximo is strapped for cash at the moment and most of his boys are untried, I skipped the Augustus regionals and put both Androcles and Symeon into the next local event. Androcles was first up and I was keen to see how the long spear would fare in the arena. However, on drawing his opponent he was to face a Retiarius; another long weapon - damn! Hailing from the rival Ludus Anthrax, his opponent was to be Unctuous; a most unsavoury type. I decided to record this one blow by blow so this first match will be picture heavy. (I guess I should also come clean and admit I messed this one up big time and forgot to roll armour saves until the start of the second match. Although, as my guy had the heavier armour, for match one, I actually disadvantaged myself!). Both matches were fought using the NPC charts for my opponents. Round 1 and the protagonists face ...

The Prologue The Arena at Kourion is (literally) out in the Provinces.  September Festival has come around (time moves slowly in the Mediterranean Provinces) Since the Greek population wouldn`t appreciate games dedicated to Jupiter, Kourion will instead honour the Consuls by holding the Festival of Jupiter-Zeus.  The Soldier to be honoured in the Kourion September Festival is former Consul, and lucky general, Quintus Whitmorus, named "The Noblest Roman" by Cato the Gobshite,  Senator Whitmorus will be our Games President, sadly absent at his Villa on Capua.  Pontius Piddlus, Governor, will deputise.   Unlike the traditional Ludus Romani the Greek version alters the format.  No battle of Carthage, no Lake Regulus.  Instead we celebrate the great Greek tradition of victories, now well in the past. Match Schedule Entertainments The traditional Ostrich Chase... The Great Silver Back Gorilla vs two slaves The...

The Prologue And its a packed arena here today in Kourion.  The crowd are enjoying the anticipation of the entertainments on offer as we celebrate the Funereal Games for Senator Dio Sabbathus, sadly passed, and we were treated to an early morning Rainbow in the Dark to mark his passing... Honest Figulus is accepting bets.  You have 50 Denarius and may spread your betting between the bouts.  All bets are at 2:1 double your money.   Honest Figulus won`t let you down.  When the fun stops just bet more! But in the Arena the Fun never stops... Bout 1   Slaves vs Ostrich.  5 rounds to catch and kill. Hilarious fun Bout 2   Slaves vs Rhino.   5 round match to kill the Rhino Bout 3   Slave vs giraffe.  5 rounds catch and kill.  Side-splitting humour. Bout 4   Slaves vs Crocodile vs Lion.  Bets accepted on the Crocodile or the Lion or if you feel lucky the slaves... Bout 5...