Aramaic Mysticism

Avrah KaDabra = "I create as I speak."

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The Aramaic Heart of Jesus

Ancient Libraires

Mentions many ancient libraries. Why are we so afraid of knowledge?

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I have created a new label or collection : libraires where I will feaure videos and links to articles on libraires and links to libraires of note..

Prester John a Host of Characters

Through a manuscript that was circulated during the Middle Ages Prester John was said to be the Emperor Byzantium. Whether he is a priest, king, or both, all is lost in history. However, some of what he is purported to have written to a response to a request from the Vatican is quite intriguing.

“I Prester John, who reigns supreme, I excel in riches, virtue, and I have power over all creatures that dwell under heaven. Seventy-two kings pay tribute to me. Honey flows in our land and milk everywhere abounds. In one of our territories no poison can do harm and there are no noisy frog croaks. There are no scorpions, and no serpents that creep through the grass. No venomous reptiles can exist there and use their deadly power.”

The Lost City of Z, David Grann

The Kraken from the Clash of the Titans

Clash of the Titans

When Zeus gave his brother Hades permission to release the Kraken on the rich city of Joppa for their atrocities against Zeus, the Kraken was released. The Kraken dwarfs any creature on earth and had been pent up in the bowls of the earth. Once it was released it headed toward the city of Joppa bent on destruction. There is only one thing that can kill the Kraken and that is the head of Medusa. Once it lays its eyes on the head of Medusa it will turn to stone.

The Kraken gets a whiff of the princess, Clash of the Titans

The Kraken just before it encounters the head of Medusa and turns to stone.

Clash of the Titans

Age of Mythology Mythical Pieces: Egyptian

From left to right

Wadjet: Cobra goddess of Lower Egypt; Sphinx: a winged monster of Thebes. It has a woman’s head and a lion’s body; Anubite: God of Ancient Egypt. Had a body of a man with the head of a jackal; Scorpion-Man: Head, torso of a man and body of a scorpion; Mummy: is a human whose skin has been preserved using herbs and portions and wrapped with ribbons of cloth; Phoenix: an eternal bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn; Son of Osiris: god of the afterlife, the underworld, and the dead.

It seems that the ancient Egyptians were the most imaginative when it came to their mythical entities. Was it something they smoked or was it the hot desert sun?

Age of Mythology Mythical Pieces: Greek

From left to right

Cyclops: a one eyed giant; Medusa: a winged human female with a hideous face and living venomous snakes instead of hair; Minotaur: had a head of a bull and body of a human; Manticore: body of red lion with a human head, shark like teeth, and bat-like wings; Centaur: upper body of a human and the lower, the body of a horse; Hydra: hugh creature with multiple snake like heads.

Age of Mythology Mythical Pieces: Norse

From left to right

Nidhogg: Dragon; Frost Giant: Very large humanoid creature; Dwarf: Short stocky creature; Troll: Live in isolated locations and are usually antagonistic to humans; Valkyrie: female figure who chooses who will live or die during battle. (Don’t spurn this one)

I don’t know how these soft plastic castings will take to paint, but I am going to give one of the Trolls and Frost Giants a try.

Game Pieces of the Age of Mythology

My Age of Mythology game pieces arrived the other day from Eagle Games and I have plenty to report on my newly acquired miniatures. I thought I would start out with the basics. There are three fractions included in the game, including Egypt, Greek, and Norse combatants.

Listed below are the colors I chose followed by the colors that are available for each one of plastic sprue.

Egypt Pieces [Color:Brown], Dark Brown
Greek Pieces [Color:Light Green]. Green
Norse Pieces [Color:Medium Blue], Dark Blue, Light Blue

There are roughly 145 parts on the three plastic runners. I have included a link to a Plastic Soldier review of each set.

Norse Pieces
Jarl
Throwing Axeman
Villager
Huskarl
Classical Norse Hero
Heroic Norse Hero
Mythic Norse Hero
Troll
Frost Giant
Dwarf
Valkyrie
Nidhogg

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Greek Pieces
Villager
Toxotes
Hoplite
Hippokon
Mythical Greek Heros
Classical Greek Hero
Heroic Greek Hero
Manticore
Medusa
Centaur
Cyclops
Minotaur
Hydra

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Egyptian Pieces
Chariot Archer
Spearman
Priest
Pharaoh
Villager
Elephant
Phoenix
Mummy
Anubite
Sphinx
Son of Osiris
Scorpion-Man
Wadjet

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28mm Persians

I recently received six plastic sprue from the Wargames Factory. All of the sprue are identical and included a total of twelve Persians. The sprue measure 3 wide by 4 inches long and each sprue contains the following components: two torsos with different poses, six arms molded to hold a verity of weapons and or shields, one arm is holding a bow, four heads with different poses, two swords, two shields, one full length, a battle axe, a spear, and a quiver with a bow and set of arrows. The detail looks pretty good.

What I really like about these plastic miniatures is that there are so many possible configurations and combinations of swords and a shield, or shield and a spear. There are other sources of plastic sprue miniatures and in a couple different sizes. Like I mentioned, these are in 28mm, but there are also plastic miniatures in 1/72. More about this 1/72 sprue supplier and others in an upcoming post.

Ancients

A few weeks ago I relabeled a post I had made about a couple of horse drawn wagons I wanted to build in 2104. At that time I had used one label called ancient Rome. Since then I have decided to use a label Ancients as it will better suit my needs.

I had no intention, at first, to model ancients, but with the Roman Nobelman's Chariot and am planning on purchasing a Macedonian War Elephant. I felt these models would be fun to build. Why else would purchase a particular model?

In addition, I just received a set of Persians from the Wargame Factory. Wargame Factory is offering a set of six sprue with a total of twelve 28mm Persians with assorted equipment, ETC; more about these plastic figures in an upcoming post. Who knows what other interests might perk my curiosity and add to my miniature collection?

Two Horse Drawn Wagons I Would like Build in 2014

The two horse drawn wagons are scaled at 1/72 and represent two unique periods of history. There is ancient Roman Nobelman's Chariot and a WWI Field Wagon.

The Roman Nobleman’s Chariot comes with a chariot, 2 horses and 2 figures. The two figures represent the nobles man and servant rider. The chariot is an elaborate affair, at least for that period. The manufacturer is Ykreol. This will be my second model that I will build from Ykreol, a French company. The model has been reviewed by the Plastic Soldier Review.

This is my first piece from this period. I am not all that interested in this period of history, but thought the model would be a nice addition to my collection of horse drawn wagons.

For supplemental miniatures Linear-B Roman Port set could be used to add to the scene. This set has 48 figures in twelve poses.

The WWI Field Wagon is a product of Hat Industries Figures. This kit includes three complete wagons, with two riders and two horses each.

WWI is one of my favorite periods. I like this eras mechanized and armored vehicles. These vehicle, still in their infancy, used some very singular designs.

Supplements for this set is a set of Airfix Models’ WWI German infantry. This would give me several soldiers walking carrying their guns. They would play the part as guards.