Early Pictish

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Historical Overview Section

The Picts were a confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century when they are thought to have merged with the Gaels. They lived to the north of the Forth and Clyde rivers. They are assumed to have been the descendants of the Caledonii and other tribes named by Roman historians or found on the world map of Ptolemy.

The Picts first appear in history in Greek and Roman sources under the Latin name Picti in a panegyric written by Eumenius in AD 297 - the origin of the name is taken to mean "painted or tattooed people" (from the Latin pingere "paint"). The Gaels of Ireland and the Scottish kingdom of Dál Riata called the Picts "Cruithne". The name the Picts called themselves is still unknown. Pictish recorded history begins in the Dark Ages, before that they kept records in analogue formats which contemporary Roman flash card readers could not accommodate. The early history of Pictland is unclear and in later periods multiple kings existed, ruling over separate kingdoms, with one king, sometimes two, sometimes more than two, maybe even as many as three, four, or in fact any range of other numbers up to and including the entire population of Pictland. Basically no-one knows, so it might as well be all made up. The Pictish Chronicle, a contemporary newspaper of the era along with Irish legends have been used to argue the existence of seven Pictish kingdoms, however an uneven number seems unlikely as it would make running an unseeded knockout football tournament rather difficult - eight would work much better.

As with most peoples in the north of Europe in Late Antiquity, the Picts were farmers living in small communities. Cattle, horses, imported German cars and designer woad tattoos were an obvious sign of wealth and prestige, sheep and pigs were kept in large numbers too, some of whom also got to be king. The early Picts are associated with piracy and raiding along the coasts of Roman Britain. Even in the Late Middle Ages, the line between traders and pirates was unclear, so that Pictish pirates were probably merchants on other occasions. It is generally assumed that trade collapsed with the Roman Empire, but this is to overstate the case. There is only limited evidence of long-distance trade with Pictland, but tableware and storage vessels from Gaul, probably transported up the Irish Sea from a large Ikea which opened there in the 5th century, have been found.

Using the army in FoG

  • The early Picts are an army which has potential in period, ie against other armies from the Legions Trumpet book. The brittleness of the troops makes them exciting to use, however they (of course) suffer from shooting. This means taking the IC umbrella and a LF screen is pretty much mandatory. The key issue is to survive the impact phase, as if they can avoid disruption (through use of generals and rear support) they can prove very tough.
  • The published lists include an error, as the "sample" starter army does not have the minimum 32 bases of MF spearmen.
  • Pray for terrain

Allied Contingents

  • Scots-Irish, Early : Date restrictions None, Book: Legions Triumphant Page: 32 - Unprotected LtSp/Sw foot? Are you insane?
  • Saxon - Early Anglo-Saxons, Bavarian, Frisian, Old Saxon or Thuringian : Date restrictions None, Book: Legions Triumphant Page: 62 - hordes of HF Impact foot swordsmen make these rather uninspiring as an ally, but it may stiffen your all MF army

UK Tourney Results

10 / 27 Early Pictich Britcon 2007 15mm (open)
3 / 14 Early Pictish Roll Call 2008 25mm (open)
54 / 62 Pictish Britcon 2008 15mm (open)

User-contributed links about this army:

Allies


Put information on allied contingents here - including recommendations on which to use, and why

15mm Manufacturers supplying figures for this army

Most companies have some type of Gallic troops, so this list is restricted to those with named Pictish ranges.
You can see some of the figures in the Ancients Photo Gallery also on this site

Core Troops


Which troops are absolutely needed for this army, and what are your thoughts on how to organise, paint and buy them.

Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army
Early Picts @ Britcon 2009

  • CiC IC - - - - - - CinC 1
  • Troop Commander TC - - - - - - - 1
  • Troop Commander TC - - - - - - - 1
  • Saxon Troop Commander TC - - - - - - Ally general 1
  • - - - - - - - -
  • 1 Archers LF Unprotected Average Undrilled Bow - - - 6
  • 2 Javelinmen LF Unprotected Average Undrilled Javelins Light spear - - 6
  • 3 Cavalry LH Unprotected Average Undrilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 4 Chariots LCh - Superior Undrilled - Light spear - - 4
  • 5 Spearmen 1 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 6 Spearmen 2 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 7 Spearmen 3 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 8 Spearmen 4 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 9 Spearmen 5 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 10 Spearmen 6 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 11 Spearmen 7 MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 12 Saxon Javelinmen LF Unprotected Average Undrilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 13 Saxon Nobles HF Protected Superior Undrilled - Impact foot Swordsmen - 4
  • 14 Saxon Women HF Protected Average Undrilled - Impact foot Swordsmen - 8
  • 15 Saxon Nobles HF Protected Superior Undrilled - Impact foot Swordsmen - 4


800AP

  • 1 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 2 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 3 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 4 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 5 Light Horse LH Unprotected Average Undrilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 6 Light Horse LH Unprotected Average Undrilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 7 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 8 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 9 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 10 Spearmen MF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 8
  • 11 Light Horse LH Unprotected Average Undrilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 12 Archers LF Unprotected Average Undrilled Bow - - - 8
  • 13 Light Foot LF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Light spear - - 8
  • 14 Archers LF Unprotected Average Undrilled Bow - - - 8
  • 15 Light Foot LF Unprotected Average Undrilled - Light spear - - 8
  • A CinC IC - - - - - - CinC 1
  • B Sub Generals TC - - - - - - - 3
  • 797 points


Remember to leave a line before you copy the above section as a template for your own list

eBay Listings

UK Bookstore

Early Pictish

Navigation - HomePage - The Rise of Rome - Storm of Arrows - Immortal Fire - Legions Triumphant - Swords and Scimitars - Eternal Empire - Decline and Fall - Wolves from The Sea - Swifter Than Eagles

Historical Overview Section


The Picts were a confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century. They lived to the north of the Forth and Clyde rivers. They first appear in history in Greek and Roman sources under the Latin name Picti in a panegyric written by Eumenius in AD 297 - the origin of the name is taken to mean "painted or tattooed people" (from the Latin pingere "paint"). The Gaels of Ireland and the Scottish kingdom of Dál Riata called the Picts "Cruithne". The name the Picts called themselves is still unknown.


Using the army in FoG

The early Picts are an army which has potential in period, ie against other armies from the Legions Trumpet book. The brittleness of the troops makes them exciting to use, however they (of course) suffer from shooting. This means taking the IC umbrella and a LF screen is pretty much mandatory. The key issue is to survive the impact phase, as if they can avoid disruption (through use of generals and rear support) they can prove very tough.

The published lists include an error, as the "sample" starter army does not have the minimum 32 bases of MF spearmen.

UK Tourney Results

10 / 27 Early Pictich Britcon 2007 15mm (open)
3 / 14 Early Pictish Roll Call 2008 25mm (open)
54 / 62 Pictish Britcon 2008 15mm (open)

User-contributed links about this army:

Allies


Put information on allied contingents here - including recommendations on which to use, and why

15mm Manufacturers supplying figures for this army

This is a full listing of all known 15mm manufacturers for all ranges. The first section are those that have nearly everything, the 2nd lot are generally more niche. Delete those that don't supply figures suiable for this army, or add notes to those that are especially good after the "..]". A listing of who supplies what can be found in my 15mm Suppliers directory Please delete this text box after you have selected the right manufacturers

You can see some of the figures in the Ancients Photo Gallery also on this site

Core Troops


Which troops are absolutely needed for this army, and what are your thoughts on how to organise, paint and buy them.

Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army

Name of Army / Date

  • Using asterisks inthe edit mode creates a bulleted list in the actual site
  • This is a lot easier to do than easier than setting up tables
  • For FoG I suggest listing your army in order or march
  • with troop desctiptions on each line, for example
  • 4 HF Armoured Average Drilled Impact Foot Swordsmen
  • 8 LG Undrilled Unarmoured Poor Bowen
  • Dont forget to include your Generals !!!

Include any notes you want here, including comments on how to use - or play against - the army.

Remember to leave a line before you copy the above section as a template for your own list

eBay Listings


UK Bookstore