Art Design: The Roman Vexillarious 12" action figure from the Ignite Toys' Time Silhouette series is packaged in a gatefold box that has good art on the front cover similar to the 1960s Marvel Comics Thor (by Jack Kirby). The inside cover has an extensive history of the Roman Legion X Gemina. The back cover has photos of the individual pieces from this set and historical facts regarding the origins of the Roman Empire.
History: Legio X Gemina, the twin legion, was created by Julius Caesar on 58 B.C. for his invasion of the ancient Celt city of Gaul. This tenth Roman Legion was called the twin legion because it was originally on horseback (cavalry), and was known as X Equestris. When Augustus Caesar settled the Legio X Equestris in Patras (Greece) they rebelled against his rule. After the rebellion was quelled, the legion was re-formed as Gemina, and became infantry. There are still records of the Legio X Gemina in Vienna dating to the 5th century A.D. The symbol of the Roman Legion is a fertile stud bull. During the early years the soldiers of the tenth legion were favorites of Augustus Caesar and many legionaires were chosen for his elite Praetorian Guard. The Legio X Equestris were used by Julius Caesar in his battles against the Nervians, the invasion of Britain, the siege of Gergovia, Pharsalus, Munda, and during the civil war against Pompey. In 45 B.C. Caesar disbanded the tenth legion and gave the veterans farmlands near Narbonne. In 42 B.C. the Augustus Caesar, Lepidus, & Mark Anthony re-formed the tenth Roman Legion for their successful battle against Brutus and Cassius (the murderers of Julius Caesar) at Actium. The Legio X Gemina stayed active as a Roman Legion until the 5th Century.
Headsculpt: Another very distinguished face from the sculptor at Ignite Toys. The widow's peak hair style is right out of a 1950s movie. Does he look like a young Peter Cushing or Peter Cook?
Articulation: This body is new and improved. The wrists have a ball joint and a split joint above the ball, so that the hands can pose in a million ways. The hands are now made of a stiffer plastic which is more firm than the previous rubbery hands. Otherwise the body is exactly like a Dragon ultra articulated action figure. The heads can be easily exchanged between the Ignite and Dragon figures.
The Roman Vexillarius takes his name from the type of standard that he carried, the vexillum. The vexillum was used as the typical standard for any cavalry or infantry for detachments of varying sizes. These detachments could be of any number of soldier and were known as a vexillation. Their standard would signify what larger unit they belonged to. In this case it is the Legio X Gemina. Thus a Vexillarius is a standard-bearer.
The Outfit includes a red tunic; a smock made of faux chain mail with real leather straps; the rubber bear skin that was worn over the helmet like a cape; the leather belt with the gold buckles and leather straps; the rubber sandals with cleats so that the soldier would not slip on the grass when fighting (talk about historically accurate!). As you can see in the photos, the quality and the detail is first rate!
Gear: The Vexillarius is provided a Pompeii long sword and scabbard and a Pugio short sword and scabbard. Both the swords and the scabbards are made of die cast metal, and they are also etched with distinctive Roman designs and each scabbard has a leather strap. The swords are polished and burnished so that the have a silky shine like any quality sword would. The helmet is also made of die cast metal, and it is silver with gold detailing. The shield is metal too, with an arm pad and grips on the inside. The vexillum is 13" tall and depicts the Roman bull and the Legio X Gemina standard with leather straps on the sides.
Overall: Ignite Toys has never disappointed with their incredible quality and attention to detail. This set brings a lot of historically accurate gear and it is sure to please collectors! Merit International is the distributor for Ignite Toys. Now it is easy to order the Time Silhouette figures in the USA. This set retails at $69.99.
Grade: A+
