Another Heliopolis...

Known as "That other Heliopolis" Heliopolis is a rather run down  City on the edge of the desert sitting astride trade routes to the East... ruled over by a Priest King of the Sun ,riven by guild disputes,home to the fabled stone that fell from the heavens and most definitely a place to avoid at all costs...infamy came when (bored beyond belief) he declared himself a God ."
 from Flavius the Cynic "Travels with a three legged donkey ."

However the following images give a flavour of the City on a good day,something there hasn't been for years...

A typical day in the Priest King's palace...

Nothing to do but watch the caravans enter and exit the City with spices,jewels,gold and cloth without measure.

But ever other day is a day sacred to the sun and work ceases.Sadly the economy suffers but the games proceed-

Reality is  a  smelly wood and  mud daubed arena with fourth rate gladiators but one can pretend can one not?

Next time: some notes from Flavius the Cynic concerning the local forces and Roman  garrison...

Getting a look right...

In preparation for the forthcoming games/campaign I have ruled 60mm squares onto my wargaming mat. I have chosen this size as I already have dbm/dba based troops which are on a 60mm frontage.In this photo I have used two infantry or one cavalry to make a unit in one square. I quite like the look...

In this one I have only used one base per square to form a unit.Looks a little less pleasing than the previous picture.The jury is out as far as I am concerned...
I think I might try 60mm square or 60mm by 40mm for cavalry and infantry ( varying the number of figures on a base depending on if skirmishers or close order infantry) when I raise more troops. I will,however definitely not rebase the dbm/dba stuff- it would be  a waste of time and energy and allows me to use the figures against my regular opponent's ancient armies.
Finally some of my books which influenced me greatly in my teens-

Two stalwarts still on the bookshelves.The one on the left has been superseded by other editions but I kept this one for nostalgic reasons.The one on the right has some dodgy reconstructions of ancient warriors but is still useful.

Hello again

I haven't been here for ages but felt it was time to pop by and update things.
Firstly an inspiring set of photos from the early days of wargaming I found on the web today
https://picasaweb.google.com/SocietyofAncients/EarlyYears#slideshow/5547915295147408866

In it, amongst other wargaming greats, is Deryck Guyler who I recall with affection from television in my youth. I also recall a magazine picture (1960s TV Times?) of him with his painted armies of Flats.I kept it for years but have it no longer.It show beautifully painted figures and it was the elephants which made the greatest impression on me...

The reason I am posting today is to say over the winter I indeed to play some solo games based around ancient imaginations. Oh no he's been reading Tony Bath again they say and they'd be correct! I have been reading this-

and looking looking at pictures such as-

The temptation is to start buying flats but the warchest and sanity/time suggest otherwise.So I am proceeding with the ancient armies I have finished,half finished or ferreted away unpainted.The emphasis is upon small fun and REGULAR games -probably played on a grid using Ross McF's "Gathering of Hosts" rules. Over time I will introduce the countries and their personalities and post battle reports.Do sign up to follow and not miss the fun...