MARKCO'S DBM PAGE
| INTRO
The 'ancients period' is the time expanse which starts with the dawn of writing and history (3000 BCE), and ends when gunpowder weapons changed warfare and history forever (1500 CE). De Bellis Multitudinis, or DBM for short, is the most popular international set of rules for wargaming the ancient period. Its elegant rule system allows battles involving several hundred figures to be completed in an afternoon or evening.
Wargames are often described as 'chess with a thousand pieces' and a look at DBM shows why. A chess game has two sides, each of 16 pieces, which are of 6 different types. A DBM game has two sides, each of 40 or more 'elements', which are of up to 74 different types. An element is up to 8 miniature pieces grouped together on a base. Unlike a chess game which is played on a small grid of squares, a DBM game uses a large tabletop, on which model hills, woods, and rivers are placed. A DBM game is part intellectual and sporting challenge, part visual and aesthetic spectacle.
The DBM rules are published by Wargames Research Group in the UK. The Official DBM Home Page is a good source of information.
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MY DBM ARMIES
I have Indian, Hellenistic, Republican Roman, and Tlaxcalan armies in 15mm scale. I am also looking after a friends Hittite army while he is overseas.
Hittites: Lost to the mists of time for over 2500 years. Significant archaeological evidence of the Hittite people has only been discovered in the last few decades. Contempories and enemies of the Ancient Egyptians and just about all their other neighbours as well.
DBM BATTLE REPORTS
Alexandrian Imperial VS Seleucid: 432 points, trialing the new DBMM (De Bellis Magistrorum Militum) rules. Played on 31.12.03.
DBM LINKS
Society of Ancients: International amateur society for ancient and medieval wargamers and for study of the military history of the period 3000 BCE - 1500 CE. They also publish the bi-monthly 'Slingshot' journal.
Camillan Romans: The Republic of Rome from 400 BCE to 275 BCE. Romans are the most popular choice of ancients army, though the better known Imperial Roman armies are seen more than the earlier Republican armies. I sold this army in 2003, but I have the figures to replace it... I just need time to paint them. It seems somehow wrong to be an ancients gamer and not have Romans...
Hellenistics: From Alexander the Great, to Cleopatra and Mark Antony, the Hellenistic dynasties are one of the most important cultural epochs in human history. I sold this army in 2003, but painted up another force, an Alexandrian Imperial army, with a Classical Indian Ally Contingent.
Seleucid: One of the largest and most successful Hellenistic dynasties. This army belongs to my friend Dave.
Vijayanagar Indian: The civilisations of India are some of the most ancient in the world, and Hinduism is one of the worlds oldest religions. My favourite Hindu Indian army is that of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Tlaxcalans: A Mexican people, close neighbours and bitter enemies of the well known Aztecs.
DBM Mailing List: This is the main online discussion forum for the DBM hobby. Hundreds of postings everyday.
NWA DBx Page: One of the most useful DBM pages I have seen, with some really good manoeuvre diagrams, and heaps of photos.
HäT Industrie: This company is making quality 20mm plastic ancients figures. Given the advantages of plastics over metals, (mainly the cost!) I expect to see many more plastics about if the quality and quantity of ranges being produced presently continues.
