Signifer Ala Augusta Petronia Gallorum -54mm Alexandros

[Gaudin]

Hi everyone!

I would like to share a quick open box review of this little gem by Alexandros.
I was lucky enough to receive it as a gift and the quality of figure is such that I felt it was worth sharing.

Ref. SPQR/57: Signifer Ala Augusta Petronia Gallorum, second half 1st Cent. aD.

Sculptor - Adriano Laruccia

Painter - Alexandre Cortina

White Metal

Parts - 33

Weight - 380 g

Scale - 54 mm

 

[Gaudin]

So - first of all - our subject. A Roman signifer of Ala Petriana

The prototype of the figure is a fellow called Flavinus, stationed in Cumbria. His illustrious military career sadly ended at 25, after having served in the army for 7 years.
It is to his untimely death, a bit of funds he saved and, ultimately, to his tomb stone that we owe the pleasure of the acquaintance, because it is the tomb stone that depicts the splendor of the armor and equipment that is so well demonstrated in Alexandros figure.

Flavinus was a SIGNIFER or standard- bearer in Candidus’s troop of the ALA PETRIANA. He died at 25, after seven years of military service. Some of his army pay had gone to a regimental burial fund, and helped to provide this impressive tombstone, which probably stood once in the military cemetery near the fort of CORIA Corbridge; that was where the Petrian cavalry was based as Rome extended its grip over the Tyne Valley in the years from 79AD.
The ALA PETRIANA, the Petrian Cavalry Regiment, came from Gaul. Gaul had come under Roman rule during the 1st century BC, conquered by disciplined, heavily armed legions of citizen infantry. Once such lands were subdued the Roman army recruited auxiliary regiments from the subject peoples, to serve alongside the legions.

The ALA PETRIANA took its name from the Roman noble, Titus Pomponius Petra, who first commanded it. Auxiary cavalry regiments numbered about 500 horsemen in 16 troops (TURMAE) of some 32 men, each commanded by a decurion like Candidus. Flavinus’s regiment had a long and distinguished history, but most of it came after the young soldier’s early death. It was nearly doubled in strength to 24 troops or nearly 800 men, becoming a ‘milliary’ ala; its Gaulish warriors were awarded Roman citizenship. It was granted the title ‘Emperor’s own’ (AUGUSTA), and the whole unit was twice decorated for gallantry by the award of the coveted torque, the neck-ring. These honours were eventually reflected in the regiment’s full title: ALA AUGUSTA GALLORUA PETRIANA MILLIARIA BIS TORQUATA CIVIUM ROMANORUM. Flavinus died before these titles were added, some time before 98AD. About that time the regiment moved from Tynedale and served in southern Scotland, eventually settling at the large fort of UXELODUNUM, Stanwix, near Carlisle.
Flavinus bore a single Romanised name, rather than a Gaulish one like Asterix or the three names of a Roman citizen. He may have been of some importance in his own country wearing a torque around his neck as a mark of rank among his own Celtic people. He was also of some importance in the regiment, for as standard-bearer he was responsible for regimental funds, including the burial fund. On his tombstone he wears parade armour, with a very fine plumed helmet and perhaps a facemask; cavalry regiments enjoyed spectacular displays of horsemanship in mounted games and parades. At his side is the long SPATHA, the cavalryman’s sword for a sweeping blow, in contrast to the infantry’s stabbing GLADIUS and he has an oval shield on his left arm. His saddle can hardly be seen, but it would have a well-padded, rigid frame, into which a rider with no helpful stirrups could fit securely and safely. His horse is undersized to fit on the slab, but wears elaborate harness whose straps are linked by bronze discs (PHALERAE). These details would have bean picked out in vivid colour when the memorial was first erected, but the paint has long gone and the stone is now worn, battered and pitted.
The standard Flavinus carries may have been surmounted by an eagle, though now there is only a trace of what may be a spread wing. The main part is a radiate head, probably of the Emperor, and strictly speaking Flavinus seems to be carrying an IMAGO rather than the regimental SIGNUM.
Flavinus’s stirrupless foot boots his cowering enemy in the rear. The triumphant horseman was a common model for military tombstones of the 1st century in Britain and the Rhineland, though Flavinus’s is rather later and larger than most; earlier examples at Colchester and Carlisle are more modest in scale. Usually the foe is shown falling beneath trampling hooves, but here the naked, shaggy barbarian cringes away, ominously gripping a native sword. His face is distorted with fear and hate. The sculptor has a rather biased view of the foe; most of the people Rome conquered in Tynedale seem to have been peaceful small farmers when left undisturbed.
Flavinus’s tombstone is nearly nine feet high (2.64 metres), though it must once have been set deep in the earth. There is no evidence of any nearer Roman cemetery, so it was presumably brought from Corbridge for St Wilfrid’s church building efforts six centuries after Flavinus’s death; yet it seems odd that so massive and decorative a monument should have bean manhandled over three miles simply to serve as building stone. We know that when in the 12th century the Augustinian Canons set to work on their new church buildings, they laid the great slab face upwards in the foundations of the east range of the cloister. Where it had been before is not known, but that was where C. C. Hodges found it in 1881, when he was investigating below the floor of the slype. Since then, it has stood impressively if incongruously in the south transept, not far from where it was discovered. (from http://hexham-abbey.org.uk/heritage/flavinus/)

 

[Gaudin]

I shall not dwell into historical references any further and proceed to figure itself.

What a beauty.

The kit consists of 33 parts, cast in white metal. All are superbly cast an bear no defects virtually no seams. White alloy used in casting holds high definition with ease and is fairly sturdy - as was demonstrated to me by Alex Cortina himself - by flinging a part over his shoulder (to my utter horror). On inspection post landing, no marks or damage was sustained .

The box is traditional Alexandros scheme and well layered with protective foam.

It also includes a reference / artefact guide and some historical material providing background for the figure.

 

[Gaudin]

As a breakdown, the figure looks like this.

An astounding detail has been put in by Adriano Laruccia ( who's has a jeweler background I was once told)

All in all, this is a fantastic kit. Its certainly not for beginner, but it will provide many happy hours of discovering very fine details and painting them.

The figure gives alot of freedom to customize and doesn't limit you to Flavinus of course.

Unfortunately this review is rather quick and not able to rival depth and breadth of Nap's detailed reviews (nor do I posses experience to do such review yet) , but I hope it gives a good impression of what to expect.

 

[smudger1960]

Beautiful piece of sculpting

 

[Redcap]

Very impressive figure along with an interesting historical overview - thank you!
Gary

 

[Krest063]

Глубоко копнул ! Отличная миниатюра !
Andrey

 

[davidmitchell]

An exceptional sculpt as usual from Mr Larrucia, great review Gaudin on a kit that I will add to my stash at some point.


Cheers David

 

[pmfs]

Beautiful piece of sculpting

Is Laruccia!

Cheers,
Pedro.

 

[Nap]

Hi D,

Great review showing everything needed sculpting and casting looks really good , thus would make an interesting bust holding that standard .

You are one very lucky man getting this as a gift my friend

Thanks for sharing your pleasure with the kit

Nap

 

[Mirofsoft]

Nzuri takwimu

 

[Gaudin]

Asante sana!

 

[Macca G]

A beautiful piece. I can't decide between this kit or Pegaso's 75mm Decurio Eqae to do.

 

[jenghiz]

I well remember you pointing out the stunning workmanship on this piece Dimitry,like the metal Kleats on the sandals soles,great review.I will make the effort to see the original.