What did the romans ever do for us? (1 Viewer)

[Gunn Miniatures]

An off duty Centurion looking to make a purchase at the market





Our main figure shipment has now left China and should be here around 28th May, in it will be Medusa, Zulus for the SFA series, Korean war fighting Marines and SS cavalry. Pictures of the Korean war USMC below, prices to follow as soon as possible next week.



That's all for this weeks news guys, we will be in touch next week with news of the main release.
The Team @ Gunn

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

The first four figures for our slave market will be three sisters and a male (Maximus?) followed by a podium with two Arab slave traders. After this we will have Roman bidders for the slaves. As slavery was such a common feature of the Ancient world these figures would easily fit in with either a Greek or Egyptian diorama as well as one from the Roman world.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

Dear all, welcome to this weeks news update. I am pleased to inform you that our samples have arrived from China and we will be previewing these in a newsletter due out shortly, in the meantime some interesting facts about Rome, after all it is one of our best selling series and a preview of some of the new figures we have coming for this series:


1. Rome was the first city in the world to record a population of 1 million. The first census was in the 2nd Century BC. This mass of a million people came from 3 different continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. The next city in Europe to have a population of this size was Victorian London in the 19th Century!


2. There were over 200 amphitheatres in the Roman Empire, but the largest was the Colosseum, built in Rome in 80AD, it took just 8 years to construct. It was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre and in its prime, held up to 85,000 bloodthirsty spectators.


3. Ancient Rome was a patriarchal society, in fact women weren’t even considered citizens. On the hand they were treated like second class citizens, they couldn’t attend political assembles or vote and were under the control of their fathers or their husbands. However, on the other hand, thanks to Roman law, in some ways, women were more emancipated than in some cultures today. They could own their own property, inherit money, and divorce.


4. Roman slaves were protected by law and could actually buy their freedom. Unlike more recent forms of slavery, Roman slaves were paid a small amount of money given board and lodgings. Over time if they could save enough money, they could buy their freedom. Many slaves were granted freedom by their masters for services well done. Freed slaves often went on to become successful businessmen with the help of their masters.


5. Ancient Romans loved fast food. Most of the population lived in overcrowded accommodation without cooking facilities. Unlike today it was the lowest level of society that ate out the most. There were numerous take-outs in Ancient Rome like the thermopolia, snack bars where you could buy hot take-away food, and popina, middle class wine bars.


6. The Romans gave us our calendar. In 46BC when Julius Caesar was in Alexandria, he marvelled at their calendar which was based on the solar year. After Caesar’s trip he instated the new Julian calendar which would be 365 days with an extra day at the end of February every 4 years – the leap year! It wasn’t until after Caesars death that a month was named after him. Originally July was actually named Quintilius.


7. The city of Rome has more obelisks than the whole of Ancient Egypt. After Cleopatra and her lover, the Roman general Anthony were defeated, Egypt became Roman territory. The Obelisks were a symbol of power for the Egyptian pharaohs, they represented a ray of sun from the sun-god Ra. They were brought to Rome by the emperors to decorate the city and the stadiums, they were even used as time-pieces, acting as a huge sundial. Many of the 53 obelisks stolen by the Romans are lost, buried under the modern city – but still today, 13 obelisks, large and small, decorate the city.


So what's coming next for the Roman series? Some more Germanic enemies and then in a move away from the battlefield we are going to cover Rome in the form of day to day life. Our first project is going to be a market with slaves and animals for sale as it would have been 2000 years ago. We wanted it to be similar to that epic film 'Gladiator' where Maximus finds himself in the slave market and is sold to a Gladiator school. There will be room for some exotic animals, but no 'queer' giraffes as per the words of the immortal Oliver Reed!
Following on from the market there are plans for a decadent high ranking officials feast followed by some other surprises from the glory that was Rome.

 

[waynepoo]

Crowd pleasers for sure...:salute::

 

[villagehorse]

Lots of interesting aspects and food for thought TG. Robin.

 

[Horus]

The slave market figures look great, so will be having to make room for them in my collection. The idea for market animals sounds good too, hopefully with some chickens. Some other merchants would be good too such as a cloth merchant, potter, Butcher, Baker etc
The unpainted sculpt looks great too !
Steve

 

[RISORGIMENTO]

The slave market figures look great, so will be having to make room for them in my collection. The idea for market animals sounds good too, hopefully with some chickens. Some other merchants would be good too such as a cloth merchant, potter, Butcher, Baker etc
The unpainted sculpt looks great too !
Steve

at last a Firm that can consider to release a Series on the Civil life of Rome, in great demand, bravo Black

 

[Hunter Rose]

I'd like to see this sub-series of civil life in Rome expand. It's something new and refreshing.

I'd like to see the following figures in the future:

- clothed Gauls/Celts with brass slave placards around there necks waiting to get auctioned like in the below picture

- an orator selling the slaves (I always liked the fat orator from HBO's Rome)

- Some Senators/Equestrians in the crowd with slaves in tunics with brass placards around their necks attending to them

- ordinary Roman citizens in everyday tunics/dresses

 

[desk11desk12]

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An off duty Centurion looking to make a purchase at the market

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Our main figure shipment has now left China and should be here around 28th May, in it will be Medusa, Zulus for the SFA series, Korean war fighting Marines and SS cavalry. Pictures of the Korean war USMC below, prices to follow as soon as possible next week.

View attachment 288135

That's all for this weeks news guys, we will be in touch next week with news of the main release.
The Team @ Gunn

Don't care for the nude slaves, but I can't wait to get those Korean War USMC figures.

Thanks,

Carlos

 

[Barkmann]

Don't care for the nude slaves, but I can't wait to get those Korean War USMC figures.

Thanks,

Carlos

Agree on the slave market, the Korean war figures look great, not my sphere of interest buy can see the appeal, good to see TGM covering a War that has not really been touched before for Toy Soldiers.

 

[Panzer ace]

When you are done making naked people figures can you please give an update on your medieval series?