We have just spent the weekend in Oxford - mostly sightseeing, but in addition Harry Sidebottom (author of the 'Warrior of Rome" novels) had offered to show us around the college he works in. This was, at least partly, for the benefit of my lad, who is a bit clever, and is thinking that, once he's old enough and has finished his GCSEs and A Levels, he might like to read Classics at Oxford. So it was very kind of Harry to offer. We had lots of fun - Harry is a good bloke.
By the way, the third novel in the series, "Lion of the Sun" is available for pre-order on Amazon. If it's even half as good as the first two, it'll be well worth reading. I have pre-ordered my copy - I shan't be waiting for the paperback - sometimes frugality just has to take a back seat.
Once he'd extended the offer to show us around, I tried to think of some little gift he'd appreciate, and came up with the idea of painting a couple of figures - an 'Eastern' legionary (just like one of the ones in the banner at the top of the page) and another, shown in the photo above. I made Harry guess who the latter figure represents. It took him a few minutes of increasing agitation and fast talking (playing for time!) before he 'got it'. You are also at liberty to guess - but those who, unlike Harry, own a copy of Osprey MAA 390 "Roman Military Clothing (2) AD 200 - 400", need not bother to reply - in fact, please don't spoil the game for others!! A quick hint - he's a particularly unpleasant emperor from the third century. If no-one guesses it in a day or two, I'll post a couple more hints.