Italian Ostrogoths, Book III army

[Hannibal Ad Portas]

Does anyone know whether or not the Pass of the North Goths would be suitable for this army??? I recently painted up some POTN figures and really like the sculpting style and the results I get. I would love to use POTN figures to create a new army to add to my minions, but I am worried that they aren't the right period....

[Robert of Port Angeles]

I compared the pictures of the troops on DBA Online for three Goth army lists.

Early Gothic or Vandal 200 AD-493 AD http://www.dbaol.com/armies/army_70_figure_1.htm

Later Visigothic 419 AD-711 AD http://www.dbaol.com/armies/army_80_figure_1.htm

Italian Ostrogoth 493 AD-561 AD http://www.dbaol.com/armies/army_88_figure_1.htm

When comparing the pics from Pass O' the Norths web site of the mounted figures, http://fanaticus.org/DBA/eyecandy/promos/potngothssb.jpg

and also PotN owner Jeff Caruso's Radagaesus Early Ostrogoths (DBA II/67a), http://fanaticus.org/DBA/armiesofthefanatici/JeffCaruso/Radagaesus/index.html

all three lists seem to look relatively similar in dress, weapons, armor, etc. The pics of Jeff's own armies seem to match.

Looking at the dates for these armies I see a period from 419 AD to 561 AD were the troops of these armies could possibly "morph" into which ever of the three I would want to field.

PotN Goth range would work for all three lists.

I also pretty much answered most of my own questions in my previous Later Visigoth post about hair color and clothing color in the process of checking all this out.

The Goths raided European settlements looted and made use of whatever goods, and livestock they took. This would include weapons and armor.

The only thing I do not know is what types fabrics and clothing patterns were being produced and imported during this 419 AD to 561 AD period. It would then help me to decide upon intricate details for clothing.

[ February 08, 2004, 20:24: Message edited by: Robert of Port Angeles ]

[Chris Brantley]

Very few miniature sources distinguish their Visigoths or Ostrogoths from Italian Ostrogoths (Donnington being one of the few). Old Glory, for example, sells bags of generic Visigoth/Ostrogoth/Lombards/Vandals. I'm not sure I can name a specific range of Italian Ostrogothic figures for you.

On their way to Italy, the Ostrogoths incorporated a number of peoples including Rugians and Huns. Once in Italy, they also made use of Italian levies. So you may want to show some variation in that sense.

Also, the farther along the Goths go, the more "Romanized" they become, including more and better armor and equipment. For Italian Ostrogothic knights, I'd tend to have a higher proportion in spagenhelms and chain than I would for earlier Goths.

During seiges of Italian cities, Ostrogothic archers learned to utilize larg wicker shields operating like mantlets for protection, another point of variation.

In my opinion, you could certainly use POTN Goth figures for Italian Ostrogoths, although you may want to pick and choose, and mix in others from other ranges.

[Hannibal Ad Portas]

Thanks for the help guys. I will probably go with the POTN guys and add some armored types from Essex. I probably won't mix and match types on the stands though. I think this army will be a fun one to paint and a real joy on the tabletop!!!!