The most Historically Accurate Roman Bust(s)

[chris1]

Hi Guys
I'm looking for the most historically correct bust or busts of a Roman centurion and other troops
I'm asking as I know many are "Hollywood" versions and I'd like something more accurate.
I'm thinking of the following:
ROMAN SIGNIFER 1st Century A.D(II)
Roman Cavalry Officer 180 B.C
ROMAN Legionarius 1st Century A.D
Roman Centurion 180 A.D.

Given I know so little about this period,but I'm learning, and I love the TIME TEAM episodes on Roman England.
I hope you guys can help.

Chris

 

[tonydawe]

G'day Chris

Young Miniatures do busts of all these Romans, however as you pointed out, some of them (especially the Cavalry Officer) seem to owe more to Hollwood than to history.

The guru on all things Roman is Dr Mike Thomas on the MedRom forum. Without stepping on his expert toes, I'm sure Mike will admit that even the experts have extremely limited information on the accuracy of Roman military uniforms and equipment, and most of the gaps in our knowledge of Roman military history is filled in by educated guess work and supposition. I think Young Miniatures do a pretty good job on their research and they are certainly the best at casting and sculpting.

 

[MCPWilk]

I suggest you look at Foxwood Figures for a set of four busts:
Centurion with Imperial Italic helmet and transverse crest;
Signifer with Imperial Italic helmet;
Tribune with attic helmet and
Murmillo gladiator with helmet copied from that in the British museum.

The busts are in 200mm scale and were sculpted by the late Pete Morton. Apart from the Attic helmet, I 'sculpted' the helmets according to historical and archeological finds. Each bust is mounted on a column base (http://www.militarymodelling.com/albums/member_album.asp?a=15116 will give you an idea of three of the figures. The tribune should now be offered with a standing, rather than a stand and fall, crest/plume).

Kind regards,

Mike