Defying the eagles

The legend of Rome may not have been so legendary were it not for some of its opponents….

- Gary Emery

The building of an empire, it’s all about economics and power. Taking the resources and wealth of others, enslaving your victims and pressing the conquerors ideals and ways of living in a massive power trip.

This was no different for the Roman civilization as it grew by destroying hundreds of others. In this process, many brave men and women challenged the mighty Roman army in the name of freedom, and even the Romans expressed their admiration for their deeds and courage. Today, many of these names are still considered a symbol of independence, determination, and national pride. Hannibal, Spartacus, Boudicca, and Attila the Hun still echo through the sands of time representing great struggles and the fight for freedom.

From humble beginnings the toy soldier world has woken up to commemorating these struggles in miniature. A decade ago limited releases of generic figures representing barbarians were released to provide some opposition to the increasing ranks of Roman legionnaires being brought to market.

Nowadays Britons, Celts, Gauls, Germans, Dacians, and Carthagians are all available through manufacturers websites.

The story of Rome’s expanding empire is one of brutal conquest and subjugation followed by a stabilisation of the Empire’s borders and protection against incursions. Finally, pressure was brought to bear as those incursions increased and eventually destroyed the Western half of the Empire.

Roman conquest and expansion did not happen straight away. As a struggling small hilltop settlement, established in around 753 BC, it took a while to gain the strength to expand its territory.