Friday, 9 January 2026

From SteveG: Eumenes of Cardia v Neoptolemus of Macedon. in 28mm metals. (10 points)

  G’Day all.    I’m very excited to get underway in this excellent competition.  A perfect way to make a dent in my “pile of shame”. Some of which have been with me for 10 years!   First up are a few colourful protagonists from the turbulent years soon after the death of Alexander the Great.   In what became known as the Wars of the Diadochi (  Successors), multiple Macedonian and Greek Generals fought it out in a complex web of intrigue and scheming, for the carcass of the recently conquered empire.   These two,  Eumenes of Cardia and Neoptolemus, had particular animosity.    

  


Eumenes was a Greek  whilst Neoptolemus was Macedonian and as such suffered from his culture’s customary xenophobia towards his southern brethren.   Alexander, however, has always held Eumenes in high regard due to his proven aptitude and sound counsel.  



Figures are 28mm metal by Aventine Miniatures.  Modified with head swap for Neoptolemus- from a Victrix set.   


Eumenes



They sought each other out at the Battle of  the Hellespont  in  321 BC    with Eumenes coming away with significant wound  but killing his enemy in one on one combat.   


Neoptolemus

1.     Steve G 

From Millsy:

Welcome the the madness Steve! It's great to have another Antipodean in the Challenge, especially if this is the kind of thing we can expect from you mate.

These are both absolutely wonderful, and I love that you've provided the backstory as well. The brushwork is top notch but the basing is absolutely next level! Where did you get the bushes and flowers, they are really convincing?

10 points to kick start your Challenge journey!

Cheers,
Millsy

22 comments:

  1. Gorgeous painting, lovely basing and interesting snippet of history!
    Best Iain

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  2. Great work! The painting really accentuates the details of these wonderful figures.

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  3. It's always nice to get the context behind the minis, especially ones as nice as these. Well done.

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  4. Can’t beat willows words- great brushwork

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  5. Welcome to Challenge Steve! That's great brushwork!

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  6. Great stuff. I smile when I read about you having figures in the lead pile ten years old. I'm sure a few of us would class them as 'recently purchased' . Very nice brushwork on these

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  7. Those are lovely figures. Great to see someone doing the early Diadochi, especially Eumenes.

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  8. Lovely painting on these generals. Only ten years waiting isn’t too bad. Either they were painted immediately or waited at least a decade in my pre retirement lead mountain.

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  9. Beautiful figures, basing and paintwork.

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  10. Welcome Steve! And as others have already observed, that is some tremendous brushwork. Well done.

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  11. Most excellent! Especially love the blue helmet

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  12. Thanks all for the welcome and the generous comments. More ancients to come :)

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  13. Great painting - one up to Eumenes!

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