The 2d and 3d graphics thread.

**Reno Melitensis** · April 29, 2016, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by vikior

Excellent work on the units. One small thing though

I'm no historian, but to me these seem like the Slavs of the early middle ages. For example, I'm pretty sure that the Slavs of the 5th century didn't have access to that amount of mail armour. They probably looked something more alike to this:

Thanks for your feedback vikior. Currently the Slavic roster has a Light Spear Infantry and a Light Skirmish Infantry based on the Infantry man in the photo you posted, plus a horse archer unit.

Originally Posted by demagogos nicator

The slavic 2 handed axe unit looks extremly good. However, I am quite curious on what sources you have based it? As far as I know Slavs of those times did not have much of heavy armoured units, most of the better equipped ones being probably cavalry/mounted infantry retainers of Slavic warlords or mercaneries in foreign services.

The problem we have with the slavs is that not so much is known of them in the middle of the 5th century AD. At this time period they where probably under the yoke of the Huns, and much much later did they migrated to the Balkans up to the Limes Danubis. So apart from having many light infantry and cavalry, their nobles both on foot and on horseback, and elite retainers of Kings and Nobles would have had access to more heavy equipment. Like other steppe people they would have came across other steppe cultures that used such equipment and used it. As much as the Longobardi where influenced by the Avars so must have the early Slavs been influenced by both the Huns and their subordinates like the Heruli and Gepidae. The photos midnite used as his base are all early medieval reenactments, but as we know nothing of the Slavs, some artistic license is needed here, and midnite have done a great work.

Cheers

**AnthoniusII** · April 29, 2016, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by vikior

Excellent work on the units. One small thing though

I'm no historian, but to me these seem like the Slavs of the early middle ages. For example, I'm pretty sure that the Slavs of the 5th century didn't have access to that amount of mail armour. They probably looked something more alike to this:

http://www.ancientmilitary.com/images/Slav-Warriors.jpg

Truth is somewhere in the middle.
Recent discoveries in 6th century Roman (byzantine) military reports indigate that Slaviv tribes had some heavily armored warriors both on foot or mounted.
Its true though that the vast majority of their 6th century warriors looked like these.
But the unit Attila TW placed as town guards were actually "spesial forces" of the Empire.
They were long range reconaisance units (like modern SAS) to spot army gatherings and if possible kill Slavic leaders. Those units reports that discovered recently prove the existance -at least rate- of all kind of cavalry and heavily (what heavily meens is another story) infantry. Remember that Slavs had many steppe influences.

**demagogos nicator** · April 29, 2016, 03:35 AM

I do not claim to be a historian either and from what I know the Slavs of this period are very obsure people so definatelly some artistic licence is permitible. As far as I know there is consenzus that the Slavs of early 6th century which were able to organize the large-scale military expedition against Romans had to have some degree of advanced military organization and the top tier of their military leadership should be able to afford quality equipment. However the unit in question as well as reference pictures shows clearly the Norse influenced slavic equipment of eastern Slavs or western Slavs settled along the balic coast and I would date it in the period between 9th and 11th century (although I doubt the the presence of some of the helmet types from the pictures in Slavic military equipment). Slavs of the 5th and 6th century would be probably more influenced by the military equipment of Huns and eastern Germans. If I should make an educated guess Slavic nobility and veteran retainres would be equiped in similar fashion like their counterparts form the ranks of Goths, Gepids and Longobards.

**AnthoniusII** · April 29, 2016, 05:25 AM

I agree..Hunnic and Avaric influences fit..because they were Slav people overlords or purcecutors and in all cases they lived side by side for long times.

**Reno Melitensis** · April 29, 2016, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by AnthoniusII

I agree..Hunnic and Avaric influences fit..because they were Slav people overlords or purcecutors and in all cases they lived side by side for long times.

That is exactly my view too on the Slavs, and thanks for your educational views Antonius.

Cheers

**midnite** · April 30, 2016, 05:28 PM

A remake of the slavic 2 handed axe unit. Less chain mail, some leather armor, less helmets

**Reno Melitensis** · May 01, 2016, 05:50 AM

Well one for the critics, well done midnite.

cheers

**demagogos nicator** · May 01, 2016, 07:47 AM

Well done, now they look more realistic without all that heavy armour. I would also advice to remove gjermundbu style helmet and leave only the variaton of simple spangethelms with amd without nasals (eventually few with cheekguards) but still I respect your artistic licence