Linear-A – 141 – Republican Roman Incendiary Swine

Description:

Incendiary swine are one of those curious and somewhat legendary aspects of ancient warfare that capture the imagination. Ancient sources suggest that pigs were occasionally used as a psychological weapon, particularly against war elephants, which were a formidable presence on the battlefield during the Hellenistic and early Roman Republican periods. The tactic relied on coating pigs with flammable substances such as pitch or resin, setting them alight, and then driving the squealing, burning animals toward enemy lines. The sight, sound, and smell of these terrified creatures could send elephants into a panic, causing them to stampede and disrupt their own formations as much as the enemy’s.

The Romans are sometimes credited with using this method during confrontations with armies that relied on elephants, such as those of Pyrrhus of Epirus or the Seleucid kings. Pliny the Elder noted that elephants were particularly disturbed by the squeals of pigs, which might explain why the idea of incendiary swine gained traction in the first place. One well-known episode involves the defenders of Megara in the 3rd century BCE, who reportedly set pigs alight and released them against Antigonus II Gonatas’ elephants, with considerable success in frightening the animals. Whether this was a common battlefield tactic or more of an improvised solution is hard to determine, but it likely remained a rare and desperate measure rather than a formalized Roman practice.

From a historical modeling perspective, the inclusion of incendiary swine in a 1/72 set is a fascinating and unique addition. While elephants and siege equipment are relatively common in kits depicting the Republican or Hellenistic periods, fire pigs are almost never represented. Their presence in a diorama would instantly create a dramatic scene, illustrating both the brutality and inventiveness of ancient warfare. For hobbyists, they offer an unusual focal point that highlights the psychological dimension of combat, where fear and chaos could be as effective as any weapon.

The box include 2 figures in 2 poses and 6 pigs in 6 different poses. Figures are created using 3D printing technology and while detail on the human figures or pigs is nice, the fire, an element hard to model and paint, doesn’t looks very realistic. Despite of this, the set is a nice addition to the ancient warfare and a very special subject.