1.35(a-d) Cypriot or Phoenician 1000 - 332 bc
Maxima:
1 x 2h,2c LCh (g); 1 x 2h,2c LCh;
1 x 4h,3c HCh (g); 1 x 4h,3c HCh;
1 x 3Cv(g); 1 x 3Cv;
1 x 4Sp(g); 8 x 4Sp (hoplites);
7 x 4Ax (spearmen)
4 x 2Ps (jav, sling or bow)
1 x Art (bolt-shooter)
The only models that I don't have (or cannot approximate) are the LCh. Some research required methinks.
According to AANE by Stillman & Tallis (p189-190 figs 191-192): "Earlier types [of Cypriot chariots] would closely resemble 9thC Neo-Hittite or and Assyrian vehicles.......for yet earlier chariots refer to [fig] 115."
pp151-152 - Levantine chariotry 12th to 10thC bc: "The chariot remained virtually unchanged from earlier Canaanite and Syrian types."
Well...I can find some of these early types in my 'biblicals' box.
So that's the figures sourced. What about some re-painting?
The Phoenicians derived a considerable income from the sale of their dyes (especially the Tyrian Purple - middle). I'm guessing that only the generals could afford to wear that particular colour. The top and bottom could be worn by the citizen 'gentry'.
The shield shown in AANE (fig 192b, p190) "has a red centre and small red dots on white petals against a black background...other shields could have long, pointed bronze bosses." Helmets seem to have varied (fig 191a p190).
I have a number of old Minifigs citizen spearmen with flat round shields that are destined for this Phoenician army. The more 'modern' Minifigs (hugely bigger than their predecessors) will be retained by the revised Carthaginians.
The only puzzle left is the 'hoplites'. Chris has helped me on this one so I will put up another post specifically on that subject.
