The Outfit: The figure is wearing a white toga under the black overcoat which is woven with an authentic leather battle harness. The leather harness also has metal chest protectors. The figure is also wearing a leather belt which has golden metal buckles sewn on. The Roman Battle Skirt is also made of real leather. The detail, workmanship, and intricate sewing are incredible! This is a work of art, and yet all the belts have working buckles; the harness can be removed, and so can the armor and the Roman Caliga style sandals.
The Armor: What I consider to be armor are the die-cast metal swords, the Imperial Gallic helmet and the shin guards. The shin guards are chromed and especially shiny! The helmet is a work of art, as the silver metallic hard plastic material is buffed to a sheen. The face guards are etched, and the helmet is detailed in metallic gold. The face plates are held on with tiny wires, and move freely as the figure moves his head. This helmet looks as if it had been etched and detailed by hand, and it looks like it is made of die-cast metal.
The Gear: A shield, a javelin and a spear, a Pompei long sword and scabbard and a Pugio short sword and scabbard are the weapons included. The javelin in the photo on the right has white string wound around the handle for a tighter grip! That is a better version than the ones in the movie! The two swords are made of metal, and they are also very shiny, as if the Centurion keeps his swords polished and clean. The shield is speaks for itself! Take a look at the photos, and notice that it is very similar to the shields that the Roman soldiers in Gladiator were using.
The Price: These Roman Empire Gladiator figures are available from online dealers and e-bay, and their price varies.The MSRP is $89.99 each. To find information on dealers in your area, visit Ignite's Website. This Roman Empire figure is a work of art. It lives up to the standard of a museum quality figure, and anyone who has an interest in Roman History can tastefully display this figure in their classroom, office, or home.
Grade: A+
The Action Figure: Is a Dragon style ultra-articulated body made with what feels like a softer plastic than what is used by Dragon Models. The hands are also slightly softer, almost rubbery. The hands feel more human-like and yet they still maintain most of their grip. But harder fingers would probably be better for holding on to these die-cast metal weapons.
This figure is a gorgeous display piece for home or office. The real leather and die-cast metal gives this figure the look of a museum quality historical display piece. It is not really a frontline play action figure, but it is fully poseable and you can certainly play with it if you buy a few more of the various Ignite Roman soldiers, or the Greek Hoplite or for that matter, even the Vikings!
Art Design: The colorful box is heavy on the traditional Roman red, and it has an illustration of a Centurion pulling a sword out of his scabbard. The box says only "Roman Empire," however the Ignite Website identifies the figure as a Roman Centurion. A brief history of the Roman Empire is provided on the inner flap and on the back of the box. The figure seems to be unofficially based on the movie Gladiator. However, expert hobbyist & Roman History buff Ransome Chua pointed out that while the figure looks like Russell Crowe, it is wearing a Centurion's uniform, while Russell Crowe's character in the film Gladiator was a General in the Roman Army (at the beginning of the film). Check the photos of Crowe, before and after the battle that begins the movie, along with a few of Ignite's Roman Empire Centurion.
The Headsculpt: This is an extremely good Russell Crowe headsculpt. The head is not made of the same kind of shiny resin as a Dragon figure's head. The face looks very realistic.
