I tried depicting them historically (somehow). Achilles in Bronze Age armor, Arthur in Romano-British, & Bēowulf in Vendel Period. Maybe I'll illustrate Robin Hood, Hua Mulan, d'Artagnan, Gilgamesh, & more soon. Digitally painted using Procreate on iPad.
Didn’t Beowulf either use his hands or a sword?
He did in the stories! He used his bare hands with Grendel. He also did use a sword given to him, Hrunting, in his other quests. It’s sheathed in the scabbard lol. I just portrayed him in his daily warrior look.
I did a version without a helmet & wielding a sword.
Oh, cool! I like the detail on the clothing.
Wouldn't Beowulf's sword not have a guard yet? I seem to remember guards coming a bit later
He chose to fight Grendel naked, but the fact that he chose to do that implies he also had armor and weapons that he took off for the fight.
One of my favorite odd takes on his story is a short by Gaiman titled the Bay Wolf, but here he's a werewolf hired by rich SoCal beach partiers whose loud music was angering the local sea monster. His name was Talbot, a nod to the character in the old wolfman movies.
This is great, I’d love to see your take on the Persians and Spartans at Thermopylae.
The Battle of Thermopylae and the Spartans are not legendary though?
That was an actual event with 300 Spartans (plus 400 Thebans, 700 Thespians, hundreds of Spartan helots, and 6,000 other Greek soldiers that are often not mentioned for some reason).
They aren’t mentioned bc it’s legendary: it’s evolved into story.
Any historian looking at it from a historical aspect will mention all those guys
The most popular "legendary" version of the story would be half naked dudes in leather speedos with Scottish accents fighting against mutants and lizard-faced ninjas.
Absolutely 🗿
That’s my mistake I miss read the description. Awesome work though nonetheless
finaly a time accourate arthur
The Roman armor was in the 1998 Merlin miniseries. It was my favorite introduction to the Arthurian legends.
Only note on achilles is the spear would be shiny bronze back then. Otherwise, great art!
I really like these. Especially Arthur. Do more!
Dark ages are under rated
It's very rare to see Arthur depicted in accurate armor.
I’m not as well versed in the historical accuracies of Greeks tribal armors, but I think it looks proper for a demigod of Greece.
Arthur is very close, needs more Saxon and less Roman. In fact Anglo-Saxon armor would look closer to Beowulf’s armor. Nevertheless I love the LORT Rohirrim look he gives off.
Beowulf: you nailed it. The Viking look is very much that of a wealthy chieftain/hero. Movies think too much of Vikings being bearded barbarians with horned helmets. Delves a little into the French Normans with the chainmail, however, the Danes did settle Burgundy (as well as Normandy - hence the name). A good blend, I love it.
Thank you for the kind words! I think you meant Arthur needs more “Celtic Briton” rather than more “Saxon”. Saxons that time weren’t established yet in the British Isles. They were actually invading from mainland Europe (Saxony & other Germanic lands). That’s where Arthur stepped in. Fighting Saxons off the British Isles. Anyway, thanks again! I appreciate your comment! Cheers!
Crap you’re right, I watch thinking Alfred this whole time lol.
King Alfred has always been pinnacle in my mind because of a book I grew up reading by G.A. Henty.
Now that makes more sense! Lol! It’s easy to misinterpret him as Alfred so I get it. Although I’d agree with you if it’s him.
Sick stuff
If you want specific mythological/historical figure to draw, as well as references and resources, I'd be happy to suggest some and provide references/info on some Mesoamerican (Aztec, Maya etc) heroes/legends, clothing, armor, weapons, etc!
While it’s is very interesting and well done, I gotta ask. Why is Achilles using an oversized paint palette as a shield?
(This is meant to be a joke. Job well done artist.)
Looks really good. My 2c would be to add more vein/muscle detail on Achilles’ forearm. Legs look good though
Well done. Can I ask what drove the decision to give Arthur a Roman helm?
Thank you so much! The British Isle south of Hadrian’s wall under the Roman Empire were Romanized. During the time of Arthur (5th century), everything there was already a mix of Roman & Celtic Briton. From genetics to material, culture, etc. The helmet itself was based on a manuscript from Roman Britain dated to the 5th century called “Vergilius Romanus”. This is paired with archaeological finds of helmets during that time in both the Western & Eastern Roman Empires.
You definitely achieved the mix of Briton and Roman. Also, I'd love to see illustrations of those other heroes. Robin Hood especially, he was always one of my favorites growing up.
Thank you so much! He’s actually in the works!
Man era accurate Arthur is so cool! I wish there was more media set in the 5th century
I love this art. I love this excellent historical accuracy.
Wow now that's historical accurate
Achilles looks so sick!!!!!!!
Based
Out of curiosity is there evidence to suggest helmets with horns like those on Achilles here?
Yes! The Warrior’s Vase from the Bronze Age depicts soldiers with horned helmets. The “Faience” vase fragments from Mycenae also depicts horns. They were made of boar tusks as there were evidences of them in the Dendra.
This is rad as hell. Definitely a badass like Achilles would have had horns so that’s my head canon.
Thanks, that's sick!
Horned helmets are numerous in Bronze Age Europe, the time of Achilles
Seems we were still figuring out armor and didn’t realize how bad of an idea they were
These are great, but I can’t help seeing Bert’s face in Beowulf’s shield.
I love a good Romano-British Arthur. Hate seeing Excalibur as a longsword!
These look awesome.