Spartans Size / Availability (2 Viewers)

[Spitfrnd]

Two quick Conte Spartan questions.
1) Does anyone know where to get an AG005 "Here We Stay, Here We Stand" set (before restock that is)?
2) Does anyone know how the Conte Spartan and East of India Greek / Persian sizes compare; picture would be even better?
Thanks

 

[Saber]

Unfortunately, no, to question 1, unless you try ebay. Did you post in the forum classifieds someone might be looking to sell an AG005. (Maybe me if I keep having this much difficulty in getting the sets I would like). That said, Conte doesn't seem to retire sets nearly as quick as other manufactures so you should have plenty of time to aquire them. It's taken me a few years to finish my Conte Roman set-up due to out of stock issues.

No pics for question 2. This issue was discussed on another thread by others(myself included) and I got the opinion was EofI was a shade smaller than the Conte Romans which would make them significantly smaller than the AG line.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Two quick Conte Spartan questions.
1) Does anyone know where to get an AG005 "Here We Stay, Here We Stand" set (before restock that is)?
2) Does anyone know how the Conte Spartan and East of India Greek / Persian sizes compare; picture would be even better?
Thanks

East of India AG & P = Normal Mortals
Conte Spartans = Immortal Gods

 

[joesgis]

Hello, I have some of the EoI figures as well as Conte. The Conte figures are truly MASSIVE compared to the EoI figures. I enjoy both manufacturer's Greeks and Persians, but IMHO, the EoI figures are far superior. They are not as animated and dramatic, but they are very nicely done and not so hurriedly painted. I saw in another thread someone asked a similar question ,and somebody conjectured that perhaps it would be possible to use both manufacturer's figures in the same diorama if you put distance between the figures with the larger figures in back. Well, honestly, you would need to have a chasm of about 8 feet between the Conte figures and the EoA ones. Don't get me wrong, I love both lines. It's just that the Conte figures don't fall anywhere near the realm of 54mm, while the EoI figures are on the smallest end of the scale of 54mm. If you're going for a true phalanx alignment, go w/ EoI. If you want to go w/ some phalanx and some individual fighting scenes, go w/ Conte. I hope this helps!!

 

[joesgis]

Let me know if you haven't found the Conte set yet. I know someone who had that one for sale, and he might still have it.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have already started the Conte series and frankly I find the animation and painting excellent for my tastes. I was hoping for some more varied Persians mostly. From the pictures I have seen, the EoE series does seem very well painted, but the poses are not as interesting to me for the most part. Too bad they do not match in size. From my measurements, it seems the Conte figures are actually 58 to 60 mm, so I am not surprised I guess. I will look for that referenced tread. Thanks for the information.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Let me know if you haven't found the Conte set yet. I know someone who had that one for sale, and he might still have it.

On #1, no I have searched ebay and the net and not found that set yet. I would be very interested in acquiring it so I would be appreciative if you check? I will add a classified but my next step was going to call the Conte listed dealers that do not have web sites, a rather daunting task so it would be great to find one here. Let me know. Thanks again.

 

[joesgis]

hello Spitfrnd, did you get my pm?

 

[Spitfrnd]

Sorry, no I did not receive any PMs yet. You can also email me at "horsefrnd@mindspring.com" Hope to hear from you soon.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hello, I have some of the EoI figures as well as Conte. The Conte figures are truly MASSIVE compared to the EoI figures. I enjoy both manufacturer's Greeks and Persians, but IMHO, the EoI figures are far superior. They are not as animated and dramatic, but they are very nicely done and not so hurriedly painted. I saw in another thread someone asked a similar question ,and somebody conjectured that perhaps it would be possible to use both manufacturer's figures in the same diorama if you put distance between the figures with the larger figures in back. Well, honestly, you would need to have a chasm of about 8 feet between the Conte figures and the EoA ones. Don't get me wrong, I love both lines. It's just that the Conte figures don't fall anywhere near the realm of 54mm, while the EoI figures are on the smallest end of the scale of 54mm. If you're going for a true phalanx alignment, go w/ EoI. If you want to go w/ some phalanx and some individual fighting scenes, go w/ Conte. I hope this helps!!

I believe your points summarize this discussion rather well. That being said, I don't have much time for Conte's Spartan figures as I feel they are just off. Ken and EoI have identified their niche and are doing a good job of it where Conte seems to just spill out movie related sets. I just feel the Spartans are just too bulky- after all, when we use the word "spartan" today, aside from guys in crimson, it also means simple, rugged, etc. Their seems to be little historical evidence that suggests they were as bulky as they appear with the Conte Spartan sets.

I really believe that Conte may have stumbled upon a niche market with the Ship releases that he has brought out of late- why not?? No one else seems too interested in selling ships- we have all sorts of specialized WW2 tank producers. Plus, everything I have heard regarding the sales figures for the ships like the RWG signals that they were an overwhelming success. Why not just focus on "ships" and get away from doing grunts, cavalry, etc which tend to cause inventory turnover issues.

 

[kilted vampire]

East of India AG & P = Normal Mortals
Conte Spartans = Immortal Gods

Harry, That about sums it up. I will put a couple together at the shop for a comparison though.

 

[Spitfrnd]

.... I will put a couple together at the shop for a comparison though.

I think that would be useful but I have ordered one EoI set for comparison to the Conte sets I have.

As to the comments on the relative merits of the two lines, frankly it is a matter of taste. From the photographs of the EoI figures and the Conte sets I have and the photos of those I do not have, I much prefer the Conte Spartans and Persians. I find their poses far superior and much more interesting to work with for a diorama. I also think the bulk comment is an overstatement. To me they appear to be in good shape, as I would expect of a warrior caste that did nothing much but exercise and fight

If you prefer the EoI versions, then of course that is what you should collect. I may get to those one of these days but for now I am content to collect the Conte Spartan/Persians, if I can find them of course.

So I am still looking for that AG005 set. Any referrals would be much appreciated.

 

[kilted vampire]

I did look at them and the Conte are Immortal! Almost half an inch taller base included. But the Conte are just stunning and intense! Oh the pain of putting them away and not purchasing the Spartans is just unbearable.

On another per spective a phalanx of EoA would be stunning as well just different. But my son really liked the Cote and the "Hot Gates" is the one I gave him for Christmas.

 

[Harrytheheid]

I think that would be useful but I have ordered one EoI set for comparison to the Conte sets I have.

As to the comments on the relative merits of the two lines, frankly it is a matter of taste. From the photographs of the EoI figures and the Conte sets I have and the photos of those I do not have, I much prefer the Conte Spartans and Persians. I find their poses far superior and much more interesting to work with for a diorama. I also think the bulk comment is an overstatement. To me they appear to be in good shape, as I would expect of a warrior caste that did nothing much but exercise and fight

If you prefer the EoI versions, then of course that is what you should collect. I may get to those one of these days but for now I am content to collect the Conte Spartan/Persians, if I can find them of course.

So I am still looking for that AG005 set. Any referrals would be much appreciated.

I think that both lines have their own merits. I don't have any Conte Spartans although I may order a couple of sets. Its as you say, its all a matter of taste. Some will prefer Conte some will prefer EoI. Each to their own.
Mind you, I'm really looking forward to receiving the EoI sets I have on order.

Cheers
H

 

[Spitfrnd]

I did look at them and the Conte are Immortal! Almost half an inch taller base included. But the Conte are just stunning and intense! Oh the pain of putting them away and not purchasing the Spartans is just unbearable.

On another per spective a phalanx of EoA would be stunning as well just different. But my son really liked the Cote and the "Hot Gates" is the one I gave him for Christmas.

Interesting, the base difference is relatively simple to fix with a little modeling clay; the body differences not so of course. I really do not think the muscle development of the Conte Sparatans is overdone. Yes they are buff but they were the King's body guard, the elite of the elite afterall. Certainly they are no more developed than the actors in the 300 and much less so than the governor of California.

I agree on all the rest, I have the Hot Gates and it is simply amazing. The Conte's are more like minature scuptures than soldier figures.

Hopefully someone will give me a link to that AG005.

 

[Flammenpanzer]

I have almost all the Conte Spartan sets and really like the way they are in action poses. The painting is really eyecatching also. They may be a little over the top, but look great displayed. I now need to get the Immortal sets. Conte is also going to release scenery and dio items for the line. The East of India figures are nice also, but I like the action poses of Conte.

 

[Currahee Chris]

The other option, which I have chosen, is to buy up St. Pete or Grenada figures for the Battle of Thermopylae. The Spartans did us toy soldier collectors a favor but not using cavalry so it's not like you are going to have to shell out $400 for a mounted King Leo.

The poses, admittedly, aren't quite as dramatic as the Conte figures, perhaps nor do they lend themselves to building a great phalanx but you can't go wrong with the artistry. Admittedly, King Leo's latest release was pretty stagnant. They also have King Pausanis which everyone seems to ignore in regards to 300.

On the Persian side, they poses seem to be better than their Spartan opponents but the selection is very very limited. I would venture to say we see 2-4 Persians a year from St. Pete

 

[Spitfrnd]

The St Pete Ancients are very striking but as you note, their action poses are limited by comparison. They seem to like standing around. They also seem to lack a consistent treatment of weapons and uniforms. The Grenadas do have more action. And then, for both there is about a 3-4/1 price difference. Any idea how they line up size wise?

By the way, anyone who thinks the Conte Spartans are too muscular should check out the St Pete Spartan office in light armor.

I am still looking for that Conte set AG005 and also AG004. Anyone here know of someone who has too many or wants to change to a different manufacturer please let me know.

joesgis, I never got your PM or reply to my email?

 

[Currahee Chris]

Interesting, the base difference is relatively simple to fix with a little modeling clay; the body differences not so of course. I really do not think the muscle development of the Conte Sparatans is overdone. Yes they are buff but they were the King's body guard, the elite of the elite afterall. Certainly they are no more developed than the actors in the 300 and much less so than the governor of California.

I respectfully disagree- no malice or meaness- I just disagree. I have seen the St. Pete Spartan officer and find him leaner looking than the Conte figs. The Agogee was terribly difficult and I have to think that the kids who were selected to go through it would have suffered from some measure of malnutriton. As such, they really wouldn't have the physiological development to support a 2-220 pound frame. I think the average Spartan warrior, at age 20-30 would have been about 170 pounds with the upper limit being 190-195. I think it would have been exceptionally rare to find any over 200 pounds- which, imo, the Conte figures look like.

I draw some analogy to male soldiers in the North Korean and South Korean armies. Men in the ROK are on average 20-25 pounds heavier than their Northern counterparts. This disparity has been accepted that it is the difference in the general nutritional content of the men as they grow up in their respective countries.

Just my 2 cents.
CC

 

[Spitfrnd]

With respect, I would suggest that even if the upper limit was 180 lbs, it would have been relatively easy to develop the muscle tone exhibited by the Conte Spartans given the exercise regimine that they had. I would suggest that it is not absolute size but the tone of the size you have that is the issue.

From all the history I have read on this period, I think it is highly debatable as to whether there was any general malnutrion of Spartan warrior trainees that would have limited their ultimate muscular development. I do not think the analogy to Korean soldiers is really apt, unless you mean to reference their wrestlers. Again, if actors can get there using personal trainers, I really think the Spartans could with Lacedaemonian discipline.