Late Roman Cataphracts Box Set

The figures seen below are from the forthcoming (released at Salute 2020) Late Roman Cataphract box set from Gripping Beast. The set will contain four frames that can be used to make up twelve models.

There is an extra body on the frame so that you can make the unit with either more upright or levelled Kontos.

The separate levelled kontos (one thrusting underarm, one overarm) are modelled with arms attached to ensure ease of fitting to the bodies. There are nine different heads.

All the parts are compatible with existing GB plastics sets allowing for endless conversion fun!

The set comes with six 50x50mm bases, so you can make a centrepiece unit for your Swordpoint Late Roman Army, or indeed any other rule system.

We asked Lord Sherwell at Gripping Beast to give us some more info on the historical Late Roman Cataphract

“Equites cataphractarii were the most heavily armoured type of cavalry in Late Roman field armies. Mounted on fully armoured horses and wielding an extremely long spear with both hands, cataphracts operated in close and controlled formations at relatively low speeds but were a potent strike force, taking on infantry and cavalry alike. Unfortunately, the all-encompassing armour, so effective against missile weapons, was heavy and uncomfortable for both rider and mount. Horses often suffered from heat exhaustion and once the unit’s formation was broken, cataphracts became vulnerable to lighter troops.

There are nineteen cataphract regiments listed in the Notitia Dignitatum, four in the West (including one in London) and fifteen in the East of the Empire, and although one is an elite Schola unit (Byzantium) and a couple are Palatini, most are treated as part of the regular assembly of troops.

Despite the lack of elite status, a tendency to be one-charge-wonders and a short period of potency in any one battle, the most important thing to remember about the Late Roman Cataphract is that they are cool and they look it too.”