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Andy Hooper's
Warring States/Chao Chinese (II/4c)

The Army Arrayed

In the 5th century BC, China underwent a major social transformation, as the power of the noble class was abrogated and concentrated in the hands of a number of local princes. And while these rulers enjoyed greater and more centralized authority than their predecessors in the "Spring & Autumn" period, they were also confronted with organized and expanding neighbors with similar dynastic ambitions. Warfare in the previous "feudal" age had been a relatively low-intensity pastime for the nobility, but in the warring states era, huge conscript armies devastated the country. Armies of the era were equipped with new iron weapons and siege engines, and the traditional war chariot was gradually replaced by new cavalry units.

China was divided into seven major states during the period lasting from 480 BC to 202 BC. The most aggressive of these was Chin (or Qin), which ultimately conquered all of its rivals and founded an Imperial dynasty, but then collapsed in confusion less than 20 years later. Chin's most tenacious rival was Chao (or Zhao), centered in modern Shanxi and Hebei provinces. They maintained their resistance through 220 BC, and the Chin were particularly bitter in victory, putting the Chao capital city to the torch, and allegedly executing all 400,000 members of the Chao army. But the long war with Chao, Chu, Han and Wei drained the Chin treasury and left its empire ripe for revolt. Out of this chaos would emerge the Han empire, that stabilized China for nearly 400 years. 

This Chao army was assembled from an Essex ready-made DBA army pack, and painted by Tom Holland of Seligman, Arizona. I did some inking, shading and applied a matte varnish before basing the figures. The heavy chariot elements are mounted on 40mm by 60mm bases in order to accommodate the generous proportions of the castings and their crew. In general, these figures more closely resemble troops of the Han dynasty than the warring states, but this gives a more accurate impression than using archaic bronze-age feudal-era troops. 

Chao General

The tiger skins and gilded harness are apparently based on real archeological finds,
but were probably for parade and ceremonial uses.

Retainers in Heavy Chariots

One of the favorites of my collection. This would also serve perfectly
as a Han dynasty General's element.

Skirmishing Horse

The Chao, like almost all Chinese dynasties, lacked the horses to create large, powerful cavalry units during this period, and we therefore assume their mounted troops skirmished with the bow.

Spearmen

From their armament, we might be tempted to call these units pikes, but it would be a shame to hide their ferocity behind a two-deep formation. +4 against all opponents seems to fit them perfectly. The haircuts more closely resemble the army's great-great grandkids.

Crossbowmen

Bow units seem to have been among the best-equipped and disciplined in the armies of the warring states period. The bows themselves were expensive pieces of equipment, and a warrior who could afford one could probably afford nice clothing and armor as well as a few women or a horse to carry it all around for him between battles.

Skirmishers

In general, Chinese armies seem to have had relatively few dedicated skirmish units, and probably used archers in dispersed order for the task rather than disorganized light infantry.