Some have commented that ACI Toys 2012 Anniversary Product - 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General 12-inch figure (limited to 1500 pieces) has a rather long neck. Well, that is to compensate for the layering / add-ons that is necessary to complete the look of Russell Crowe as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius as seen in the 2000 epic "Gladiator". If not for the slightly longer neck, now the figure will look odd with the armor and fur coat added. I'm glad ACI Toys considered these factors when designing the figure. After all, most collectors would choose to display the ACI Warriors III 1/6 scale Roman General 12-inch figure with everything on him for the complete and finished look :)
In the 1st and 2nd centuries, a Roman soldier's clothes consisted of a single-piece, short-sleeved tunic whose hem reached the knees and special hob-nailed sandals (caligae). This attire, which left the arms and legs bare, had evolved in a Mediterranean climate and was not suitable for northern Europe in cold weather. In northern Europe, long-sleeved tunics, trousers (bracae), socks (worn inside the caligae) and laced boots were commonly worn in winter from the 1st century. (source: wiki)
I had covered the basic attire in my earlier post HERE as well as all the loose items before adding them onto the figure for this final finished look. Scroll down to see the rest of the pictures :)
Maximus Decimus Meridius was born in the hills somewhere between Trujillo and Merida in the municipality of Caceres in Hispania in AD 152. He was the son of Meridius, the governor of the province, and of Lucretia, the daughter of the Roman Senator Bodaus. He was sent to school at the age of eight to Hispalis, and studied under the tutelage of Fulvus, the stoic philospher. He joined the army at 17 as a Standard Bearer. He fought in campaigns against the Celts in Britannia and against the Parthians in Cappadocia. Honored for his bravery under the fire of battle, he moved up through the ranks as optio, centurion, and then as primus pilus of the First Cohort under General Lucius Veras. (purely fictional of course)
ACI Toys 2012 Anniversary Product - 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General 12-inch figure (limited to 1500 pieces) wears the embossed / engraved helmet with feathered mane (plumed helmet), focale or scarf to protect the neck from chafing caused by constant contact with the armor, embossed muscle cuirass worn over tunic, jerkin, Pteruges or skirt of leather or fabric strips worn around the waist to protect the upper legs (Pteruges could be fitted with small metal studs and plates to provide additional protection), red sash tied over cuirass indicating equestrian rank, Lorica manica (arm guards), gladius Hispaniensis-type long sword and another shorter gladius sword for close-quarter combat, pants / Braccae / woolen trousers plus greaves and Caliga or military boots.
What more can I say? This is a truly truly awesome Roman General 1/6 scale figure released by ACI Toys. And I've been waiting for this figure for over 12 years - since the movie "Gladiator" came out and all I can say is: "It's well worth the wait!"
And I'm not even done yet because this ACI Warriors III Roman General figure also comes with a fabric cloak with faux fur!
Scroll down all the way to see the fully attired Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius 12-inch Figure played by Russell Crowe in "Gladiator"
In the movie, Maximus Decimus Meridius was a Roman General who served Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in his Twelve Year Campaign against the Barbarians in Germania. He later served as a Gladiator in the arena after he escaped Commodus. He eventually killed Commodus, but died of wounds inflicted on him before their battle in the arena.
Maximus led the Roman Armies for Emperor Marcus Aurelius during his wars in Germanian Conquests of the Barbarians. Maximus and his subordinate Quintus defeated the Barbarians in a bloody battle. After the battle, he was honored by the Emperor for his duty. He was envied by Marcus' son Commodus, who was a coward. Maximus was offered the post of the Protector of Rome by Marcus, who knew that Commodus was too feeble and cowardly to rule Rome. He accepted the post, but Commodus secretly murdered Marcus and later became the Emperor. He was betrayed by Quintus, and was sent to be executed in the woods of.
Check out the close-up pictures taken of ACI Toys 2012 Anniversary Product - 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General 12-inch figure (limited to 1500 pieces), most definitely inspired by Russell Crowe's role as General Maximus Decimus Meridius
Maximus is mostly likely based on Marcus Nonius Macrinus, who achieved major victories under Aurelius, as well as on Narcissus, Spartacus, Cincinnatus, and Maximus of Hispania. A purely fictional figure from the era of the Roman Empire.
Check out the ACI Toys Roman General's 1/6 scale embossed / engraved helmet with feathered mane
It fits the 12-inch figure's head nicely and doesn't look too big and out of scale or unproportionate
And finally, here's the Roman General complete with fabric coat and faux fur. The neck doesn't look too long now, does it? In fact, it looks just right :)
After Marcus Aurelius's death in the camp at Vindobona, Maximus was arrested by the guards of the new emperor Commodus (rumored to have smothered his own father). Suspecting Commodus, the general had refused to give allegiance to the new emperor. As he was about to be executed, Maximus overwhelmed his guards and escaped. In retaliation for this, Commodus had the general's family and retainers brutally murdered. Maximus returned home after much travail and found his loved ones crucified.
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