Germani Corporis Custodes

[Correus]

Ave Omnes!!!

I'm thinking about creating a "Germani Corporis Custodes" to go above and beyond the Praetorian Guard.

Following is a WIP picture:



I'm wanting this group to be Roman yet leaning towards the German side. That being said I could use some help with a few items.

I know the Romans were generally shorter than the Germans, but I really want the Roman armor, so unless any of you know of a largish Roman figure.... I could convert a mini - remove the torso off a Legionary and place it on the legs of a German. Wonder if that would work?

Shield design - what would you think of black and white color scheme with a Maltese Cross?

Helmet and armor - I want to do a combo o the whole Roman/Germanic type armor. since the armor is molded on I guess I'll keep it. However, I was thinking of keeping the helmet but instead of a plum going with some sort of spike - kind of like an early version of a pickelhaube.

The unit needs to be armed with some sort of sidearm, but I really want something different, something to set them apart from the rest of the pack. I know Roman had some contact with China...I was thinking something that would have used an early version of gunpowder/black powder. If that isn't an option, perhaps some sort o pole arm with rudimentary explosive.

Thoughts....suggestions....

[Biggus Dickus]

Correus, that's a nice idea.
my first thought is height...germans are likely to be well over 6 foot romans 5.5 something like that...so my advice would be to maybe use some celts and dress them up in roman garb. You are right to go with a flat oval shield...but i think the small roman buckler wouldn't have been used...they likely used their own german design in fact they may well have used al lot of thier own kit..they did wear breaches....like all celts and they also had beards so you might want to break out the veteren spares box.....i'd personally put spikes on their helmets instead of plumes
i'm not sure about colours....but i think black would look good being that they are an elite bodyguard unit and german, black shield silver maybe with lightning bolts. At the end of the day paint them how you want them to look, history is uncertain...no one really knows least of all me.
Can't wait to see them painted...consider a few on horses to.

[mikeland]

Striking looking mini though I am not sure about the lōrīca segmentāta. I'm pretty sure that the Germani Corporis Custodes continued to use a Chain Mail type of armour throughout their history. Due to their Germanic origins they preferred to keep the traditional armour of their people. Bearing mind they were made up of 'chosen men' out of the auxilla ranks I think this is more appropriate armour. I would suggest using one of the plastic auxiliary bodies as a more realistic armour, or perhaps the armoured Celt bodies from the celt box set. The only problem with these two sets is the very dynamic poses, if you want to go for a more ranked look I would perhaps investigate the bodies from some of the gripping beast plastic vikings/saxons. I have seen these used carefully with the auxiliary parts to make very effective 'winter clothing' auxiliaries which would be ideal for these guys.

I agree with BD about the beards, beards or at the very least moustaches are essential, though I'm not sure about the spikes, I think that this is probably only appropriate for the Centurion, for the rank and file I'd stick with the standard legionaries helmet.

Perhaps making green stuff cloaks for them as some writers suggest they wore cloaks emblazoned with the symbol of the imperial Eagle, or the lightening bolt.

As to colours, again I am with BD, go for what looks good as we just don't have enough evidence to say either way.

Must admit you have me quite inspired, might do these myself when I come to do Praetorians.

Does anyone know if they were involved with the Claudian invasion of Britain, perhaps when the Emperor made his own 'appearance' to capture Colchester?

[Cubster]

I echo Mike's comments about the cloaks, squeeze as many lightning bolts as possible onto the design, with the odd eagle here and there, but always looking to the right.

The gunpowder weapons would have been very rudimentary before the 'scientific revolution' of Alfred the Great's time, so really any sort of iron tube would be appropriate to represent them.

The sandals might be a problem though because the Germani had six straps above the ankle on one foot and five on the other, so you could either Milliput them in or just live with the inaccuracy!

[Invisible officer]

Hmm, if you plan to use the shown miniature I would claim that the pistol is the only correct part.

The Germani Corporis Custodes are no part of the Roman army but a private bodyguard of the princeps. In the palace they are unarmoured Infantry with swords but no shields and outside they are on horse. So the Lorica segmentata is clearly no option. On campaign I would opt for the Auxilia style horse armour and equipment.

Another important feature would be the beard, we have a coin showing Nero with unarmoured guards on foot and two have beards, obviously no Romans but Germans.

Give the mounted ones a splendid shield device with some personal feeling for the princeps. His image or something associated with him.

Don't forget, they are a bodyguard unit, faithful men closest to the emperor, but not intended as a fighting unit for ordinary combat. Roman daggers are the arms most dangerous to the princeps. Shield or armour would encumber them in palace.

[mikeland]

Hmmm interesting, do you think the Germani Corporis Custodes survived past the Julio-Claudian era?

[Biggus Dickus]

Hmmm interesting, do you think the Germani Corporis Custodes survived past the Julio-Claudian era?

Not sure mike, i know they were disbanded by a caesar at some point, I like the idea of using an Ala of Pistolarii i think Correus' rendition of the tubular firearm is a bit too much like a flintlock/matchlock......I like it but quite high on detail, I'm thinking it would have been more like an old arqubus from say 1450's just a tube on a pole.

[mikeland]

Good point about the choice of weapon for the Pistolarii, though I think that the Romans were skilled enough technically to have created some rudimentary type of lock device, thinking of the mechanism on the Scorpion bolt thrower. I think some kind of crude wheel lock is the most likely type of weapon, but as BD suggests looking more like an early arqubus, but with some kind of a lock mechanism and a removable trigger. (Hard to show in 28mm!)

The Pistolarii were also know to carry a simple grenade type bomb, a bit like those used in the 16th/17c, Chinese gun powder in a metal, or leather case with a fuse.They used them to fend off the mob.

[Fury]

I see no reason why a Roman would use such a crude weapon! The Ingramus MX should be ideal for bodyguard duty. It is described in More Guns! by Greg Porter, published by Blacksburg Tactical Research Centre, 1993. From the chapter Guns That Never Were:

Ingramus MX - The Ingramus MX is the vision of what the Roman Empire would have constructed as a machine pistol, had they chanced upon mercury fulminate and black powder. A heavy, ornamented construction of brass and bronze, it fired a 15mm lead ball from thin-walled rimfire brass casing, non-reloadable to keep pesky savages from gathering and reusing them. The long recoil spring is contained in the handle/buttstock, and this provides a convenient leverage point if a soldier is forced to use the bayonet attachment. The standard field kit is one weapon, three clips and 100 rounds of ammunition, which with cleaning kit masses a total of 9.5kg. The effectiveness of the weapon is such that while many grumble privately about the extra load, few do so in combat.

Battlefield use according to Tacitus:

...after an unfortunate incident involving the savage Iceni tribe (revolving about taxes due to the Empire), the city of Camoludunum fell to a disorganized assault by several of the neighboring tribes. The Ninth Legion was called in to defend the town, but after an ambush by Iceni gunners, was repulsed with heavy casualties. The barbarian advance upon Londinium was unopposed, but their crude matchlock were rendered ineffective by heavy rains. Supposing ours to be the same and lacking the discipline to wait, they advanced in a mass on the city, only to be cut down by Paulinius' personal guard and the remnants of the Ninth, who fought valiantly to restore their lost honor. The queen of the Iceni was injured in the assault, and died shortly afterwards from taking poison. After this, the uprising was quickly quelled, although resentment among the tribes remained high enough that governor Paulinius was eventually recalled to Rome to prevent a repeat occurrence...

Ingramus.jpg (43.4 KiB) Viewed 426 times

[Correus]

You guys are so full of great ideas!!!

I have an idea for the firearm - if I can ind it there is even a pic!!!

Now that I've seen the Ingramus - well...I might have to reconsider.

BTW - I don't think I want these guys mounted on horses.