introduction
The bust is a
Spartan Officer that stood at Battle of Thermopylae (480 b.c). The origin of the figure depends on
Lacedaemonian brothers, Alpheus and Maron, as mentioned in Herodotous, History Book 7. This interesting story can be read on the historical note provided in the kit. Please click
here to read this document.
box
The figure comes in a 67 X 67 X 135 mm. white cardboard box which is inserted in a good quality paper cover. On the 3 sides of the box; there are photos from different angles taken by
Nikos Apostolopoulos showing the bust painted by
Kostas Kariotellis. The 4th side shows a close up photo of the bust and also includes the names of bust, sculptor, painter, photographer and Athens Miniatures company contact information.
A document showing 5 photos of the painted bust and historical reference in English is also supplied with the box.
The parts are well secured, sandwiched between 2 slabs of thick white polyfoam.
parts
The bust is sculpted by
Kostas Kariotellis and cast in white metal by
Ray Lamb-Post Militaire. Casting of all parts is very clean, crisp and well detailed. There is not much need for a clean up, filling or sanding. It is made up of 3 parts;
- Head : It is sculpted together with half torso and upper arms. Facial details, long hair and beard are very well defined. Head is posed as looking right and you should pay attention on that when painting eyes. He wears a tunic named chiton worn under a muscled bronze cuirass. Details of this chest armor is well represented. An overtunic or cloak named trivon completes the clothing.
- Helmet : He wears a bronze early Corinthian style helmet with no openings for the ears and a vertical space under the nose.
- Crest : A distinctive transverse crest showing the rank decorates the helmet. There are 3 holes on the helmet to fix the crest easily and properly.
painting
According to Xenophon, Lycurgus had ordered the Lakedaimonians to wear a crimson robe and a bronze shield because the robe least resembled women’s clothing and most warlike,and the shield could be polished quickly but tarnished slowly. So both chiton and trivon must be painted in
crimson referring to historical notes about Spartan clothing. Crest and wooden fixture attaching the crest to helmet also should be painted crimson.
references
Osprey Publishing has 2 books that can be useful when painting this bust and other ancient Greek figures. Please see
The Spartan Army and
The Ancient Greeks for details.
conclusion
Superb sculpt in details, high quality casting, ease on clean and assembly. A very nice bust for large scale enthusiasts.
Highly Recommended
Thanks to
Athens Miniatures for the review sample.
