15mm Modular Fortifications System AVAILABLE NOW!




"HOPPIDUS" is a modular system for any ancient fortifications that is always expanding. The original range was based around the classic ditch/embankment and palisade model popularly thought as Roman, but effectively used from before Hellenistic times to well up into the middle ages, with only minor differences. We've chosen to follow the way the Romans depicted their camp fortification themselves, you can see what I mean here. If you really don't like the turf block/stone facing, all you have to do is flock it with static grass, and hey pronto, you get that "temporary camp" look!
We are now taking this system another step further, adding larger modules for city walls and towers. Each element, or module, is available in several different variations all compatible with each other, to suit most ancient historical periods and personal taste, and to allow for the max variety. They can be assembled as separate sections in multiples of 40mm suitable to be used as temporary or permanent fortifications with DBA/M/MM and all other most popular rules. Any separate walltop can be used on any earthwork embankment of the same generic shape, either straight or round sections. As you can see a pretty good selection of core elements are available already, and many additional modules are in development for the future. You can check the status of these at the bottom of the Hoppidus range main page.

All individual modules of this system are only available as plain cast, and will require assembly. You can pick and choose any you like, just let us know your requirements in your order!

Pre-assembled and painted forts are available as custom orders!

To order, just contact us and tell us what you'd like and the delivery address, we'll check what we have in stock, calculate the total for you, give you a delivery date and send you a money request via paypal, so all you'll have to do at that point will be to click "accept" if you are happy with it.
For your convenience we have also provided a selection of modules particularly appropriate for a number of armies and periods, you can choose from one of our camp set packs and expansions as listed in the Hoppidus range main page.














All modules by type:

Earthwork Embankment:
Palisade Tops:



Gates and accessories:
Stone walls:


All modules by code:



CODE: 15FOR-A

The basic element is a single straight piece earthwork embankment. The frontage is 40mm so as to be compatible with the 15mm scale element frontage in most rules. The depth is 30mm, and the walkway on top is designed to accommodate a DBM infantry base.













CODE: 15FOR-B

The basic element also come in a version that has an access staircase in the back. Apart from this it is pretty much the same as 15FOR-A








CODE: 15FOR-C

This round corner embankment element is designed as to have no internal frontage so as to be compatible with DBM rules. It can be used on either side so it works as both a left or right hand corner.











CODE: 15FOR-D

The basic palisade element is a single straight rather generic piece designed to fit on the earthwork embankment. The frontage is 40mm too and it can be used also on its own for a very large number of different armies, up to and well in the dark ages. The thickness is only 4mm, but the casts have proven to be well sturdy.
Click here for round corners for this walltop.










CODE: 15FOR-E

It's quite hard to tell by the image, but this is the round version of 15FOR-D and is designed to fit the round corner 15FOR-C.











CODE: 15FOR-F

This is a wicker hurdle walltop element, strengthen with stakes bounded together, in the manner that is often described in the Marian and Early imperial period. It's an alternative to 15FOR-D and it can also be used on its own as a fortification or as part of a BUA. It has four double stakes reinforcements placed at intervals on one side (the back if used atop 15FOR-A/B) but is level on the other side. The back is shown in the smaller image, click on it for a larger picture!
Click here for round corners for this walltop.










CODE: 15FOR-G

All the embankment elements are cut straight to match each other side by side. If you would like to end a line of fortifications in a better looking way you can use this end bits. Also suitable for the edges of a gap left in the fortification line to be used as gate. Each pair, one left and one right-handed are sold together as a single item.











CODE: 15FOR-H

This is a sawn timber walltop defense suitable for middle and late imperial period. It's another alternative to 15FOR-D and it is designed to be used atop 15FOR-A/B. The back is shown in the smaller image, click on it for a larger picture.
Click here for round corners for this stockade.












CODE: 15FOR-I

You can form a gate simply by leaving a gap in the fortification line, and eventually use the module 15FOR-G to cover the ends. For those who prefer to have a proper fortified barred gate, Roman style, this is it! The Roman armies introduced the use of carrying gates like these with their baggage as pre-fabricated elements, and erect them anytime they pitch camp, regardless of the kind of fortifications that where erected for the perimeter, so this sawn timber example can be used for any style of walltop you choose for the rest of the camp.
This gate is a complete subsystem which consist of a base formed by two truncated embankment elements, (left and right, each with his timber stockade) which leave a full module frontage (40mm) gap, and a wooden barred gate of the same frontage to close the gap itself. This forms the base for a separate wooden superstructure to defend the gate, which include a pontoon, a frontal parapet and two sides with access ladder.

The entire gate subsystem is 3 elements wide (120mm), it is composed of 10 parts, requires assembly and is sold as a single (unpainted) item.








CODE: 15FOR-L

This module is an alternative single straight piece earthwork embankment to be used in place of 15FOR-A and 15FOR-B. The frontage is the same 40mm module, but the depth is just under 60mm, and the walkway on top is designed to comfortably accommodate a DBM artillery base.
This module can be used with any walltop style you prefer.








CODE: 15FOR-K

This is a strengthen palisade element, with stakes bounded together, but in a more crude manner which is more appropriate for dark ages and more barbaric armies in general. It's another alternative to 15FOR-D and it can also be used on its own for a number of different armies, including Ottoman Turks or as part of a BUA. The back is the same as the front.
Click here for round corners for this palisade.



Sorry, this item is currently Out Of Production!


CODE: 15FOR-M

This is another strengthen palisade element, with stakes bounded together with ropes, in a slightly different style of 15FOR-F but also appropriate for Caesar's army (Marian period). It's yet another alternative to 15FOR-D and it can also be used on its own as a fortification or as part of a BUA. The back is the same as the front.
Click here for round corners for this palisade.











CODE: 15FOR-N

This is a lighter palisade element, with smaller stakes bounded together with wicker, in the manner which would be appropriate for primitive cultures and also for several North African and Middle East armies of the biblical period. It can also be used on its own as a farmstead perimeter fortification, a fenced enclosure for animals, or as part of a BUA. The back is the same as the front.
Click here for round corners for this fence.










CODE: 15FOR-O

This is a round corner strengthen palisade element, suitable for use with both 15FOR-F and 15FOR-M.











CODE: 15FOR-P

This is a round corner strengthen palisade element, suitable to use with 15FOR-K.







Sorry, this item is currently Out Of Production!



CODE: 15FOR-R

This is a round corner wicker fence element, suitable to use with 15FOR-N.











CODE: 15FOR-T

This is a "L" shaped corner element, especially designed to allow elements to defend right on top of the embankment and still be legal under DBM rules. To explain this better look at this image:

this is where an element is required to be to defend the TF by the "no internal frontage" requirement in the DBM rules using the round corner 15FOR-C.
Now look at this image:

this is where that same element can be to defend the TF when using 15FOR-T corners.

This module can use any of the straight walltops like 15FOR-D, 15FOR-F, 15FOR-H, 15FOR-K, 15FOR-M or 15FOR-N, and it requires 2 of them plus a corner post 15FOR-V. You can also avoid using the corner by adding a bit of extra walltop, cutting it down from a spare one. As this is a bit of a special case we have provided a simple step by step guide on how to assemble this particular module, have a look at it by clicking here.
PLEASE NOTE that this module counts as 2 (two) TF elements plus one (free) corner in DBM.








CODE: 15FOR-V

This is a couple of corner posts to use on 15FOR-T. Can be used to solve the issue with fences being slightly too short saving you the work to cut an extra fence length to size and glue it to fill the gap. Especially suitable for 15FOR-H but works well with any palisade module. Pack contains two identical posts.








CODE: 15FOR-Q

This is a set of two shortened "L" shaped corners, 1 DBM element wide by 1 element deep (40x40mm) at the base of the embankment. While the module themselves are quite different the inside part is identical to the truncated embankment elements 15FOR-S, which are also the same used for the fortified gate 15FOR-I and 15FOR-W and therefore are compatible with all Hoppidus gate elements.
This means at the top they are TOO SHORT for an element to stand on, but they are just perfect for making DBA size camps!








CODE: 15FOR-S

This is a set of two truncated embankment elements, the same which are used for the fortified gates 15FOR-I and 15FOR-W and therefore are compatible with all Hoppidus gate elements.
They can be used for leaving small gaps or as end elements in a line of fortification (as alternative to 15FOR-G), and are therefore made available here also on their own as a separate code.







CODE: 15FOR-U

This is a round sawn corner timber stockade element, suitable to use with 15FOR-H.







CODE: 15FOR-W

This is a complete gate subsystem for medieval armies, based on the one depicted in the Mittelalterliches Hausbuch.
It consist of a base formed by two truncated embankment elements, (left and right, each with his timber stockade) which leave a full module frontage (40mm) gap, and a wooden bar of the same frontage to close the gap itself. This forms the base for a separate wooden superstructure to defend the gate, made of a tree trunk roughly shaped and hold up by two supports.
If you like to simulate the two curved fences in front of the embankment as depicted in the sources we suggest to use two rough strengthen palisade round corner elements 15FOR-P.

The entire gate subsystem is 3 elements wide (120mm), it is composed of 8 parts, requires assembly and is sold as a single (unpainted) item.







CODE: 15FOR-1

This is yet another palisade module, this one made with sudes stakes bounded together with ropes, and half buried in the embankment. Sudes is Latin for stake or pike. They were part of the standard legionary equipment and presumably used as a perimeter defense of an encampment. Also termed valles, they were wooden stakes 4 to 5 feet long, tapered to points at both ends with a cut out "handgrip" in the middle. They may also have been used to create a palisade or picket defense in front of a position prior to an enemy's expected charge or attack. These stakes are often incorrectly termed Pila Muralis or "Wall Spear" which instead probably was a particularly heavy javelin made for throwing down from walls. Experiments that show them to be easily pulled out if used as a fence are all done by driving them into a finished rampart, but more likely they were inserted into the rampart as it was built and the soil packed around them, so that half their length was buried. This way they would still reach up beyond the bottom edge of a defender's shield, and be much harder for an attacker to pull out.
It's another alternative to 15FOR-D and it is designed to be used atop 15FOR-A/B or with 15FOR-AX.







CODE: 15FOR-2

This is another sudes fence module, but with more of the stakes left out of the ground, for those who prefer the classic interpretation.
It's another alternative to 15FOR-D and it is designed to be used atop 15FOR-A/B.



PLEASE NOTE: this item has been discontinued.



CODE: 15FOR-3

This is another wooden fence as described by Polybius, in Book XVIII Campaign of Flamininus in Thessaly and Battle of Cynoscephalae.
"Flamininus, not being able to discover where the enemy were encamped, but knowing for a certainty that they were in Thessaly, ordered all his soldiers to cut stakes for a palisade to carry with them for use when required. This appears to be impossible when the Greek usage is followed, but on the Roman system it is easy to cut them. For the Greeks have difficulty in holding only their pikes when on the march and in supporting the fatigue caused by their weight, but the Romans, hanging their long shields from their shoulders by leather straps and only holding their javelins in their hands, can manage to carry the stakes besides. Also the stakes are quite different. For the Greeks consider that stake the best which has the most and the stoutest offshoots all round the main stem, while the stakes of the Romans have but two or three, or at the most four strange lateral prongs, and these all on one side and not alternating. The result of this is that they are quite easy to carry — for one man can carry three or four, making a bundle of them, and when put to use they are much more secure. For the Greek stakes, when planted round the camp, are in the first place easily pulled up; since when the portion of a stake that holds fast closely pressed by the earth is only one, and the offshoots from it are many and large, and when two or three men catch hold of the same stake by its lateral branches, it is easily pulled up. Upon this an entrance is at once created owing to its size, and the ones next to it are loosened, because in such a palisade the stakes are intertwined and criss-crossed in few places. With the Romans it is the reverse; for in planting them they so intertwine them that it is not easy to see to which of the branches, the lower ends of which are driven into the ground, the lateral prongs belong, nor to which prongs the branches belong. So, as these prongs are close together and adhere to each other, and as their points are carefully sharpened, it is not easy to pass one's hand through and grasp the stake, nor if one does get hold of it, is it easy to pull it up, as in the first place the power of resistance derived from the earth by all the portions open to attack is almost absolute, and next because a man who pulls at one prong is obliged to lift up numerous other stakes which give simultaneously under the strain owing to the way they are intertwined, and it is not at all probable that two or three men will get hold of the same stake. But if by main force a man succeeds in pulling up one or two, the gap is scarcely observable. Therefore, as the advantages of this kind of palisade are very great, the stakes being easy to find and easy to carry and the whole being more secure and more durable when constructed, it is evident that if any Roman military contrivance is worthy of our imitation and adoption this one certainly is, in my own humble opinion at least".


With a bit of literary license and considering the scale, they can be used also for Greek camps as well as for Polybian and earlier Roman armies.











SPK1: Gate expansion pack

This is a white metal set (may contain lead) and include two models of solid tree trunk studded with iron spikes and four side supports to make two complete removable barriers to close gaps in a fortification line without embankment.
The pack include all the modules required to make two complete barriers: 2 spiked beams and 4 supports. You will need to cut off a small bit of the horizontal beam if you want the barrier to match exactly a standard DBMM or FoG 40mm frontage; as it is the complete barrier is approximately 55mm long.



 



CODE: 15FOR-AX

This is a low, shallow base that allows the walltop palisade modules to be used on their own, as a more temporary kind of fortification, without the embankment.
It's the same 40mm wide frontage, but only 15mm deep, and it is designed to be the standard base for all the stockades used as field defenses, as such can be used with any of the walltops but is especially appropriate for Roman marching camps using 15FOR-1/15FOR-2 (Imperial) or 15FOR-3 (Republican), and for the Japanese stockades. Used with 15FOR-N makes a perfect fortified camp for Middle-Eastern, Biblical and Lybian-Phoenician armies. The upper side is textured but can also be flocked to match the basing of your army!








CODE: 15FOR-TX

This is a generic corner, fitted with a large wooden post, to connect any module based on 15FOR-AX at right angle.
It's 15mm square, and respects the no internal frontage requirement in the DBM rules.
When using low palisade the post can be easily trimmed down to fit the required height.
Pack contains two identical posts.








CODE: 15FOR-7

This is a New Kingdom Egyptian fence module, with the typical arrangement of large shields, probably the same one used as pavises in siege operations.
It is just perfect to create fortified Egyptian marching camps!
Does not require assembly. Supplied unpainted.








CODE: 15FOR-8

This is a gate pillar for New Kingdom Egyptian fortified marching camps. They are surmounted by a statue of the ram of Amon, as they are represented in the bas-reliefs of Ramses camp. You can use 15SPK1 barriers to close the gap or just leave it open as it is represented in the bas-reliefs.

15FOR-8 Pack contains two identical posts.
Does not require assembly. Supplied unpainted.








CODE: 15FOR-QX

This is an inverted corner to connect any module based on 15FOR-AX at right angle, basically it's the opposite of the TX module.
It's 40mm square, representing two TF joined at right angle and respecting the no internal frontage requirement in the DBM rules.
When using some type of stockade or palisade these may have to be trimmed short to join at the corner correctly.
Supplied unpainted.








CODE: 15FOR-9

This is a medieval-reinassance Japanese palisade fence module, with the typical arrangement of large bamboos, as depicted in several contemporary illustrations.
It's another alternative to 15FOR-D and it is designed to be used atop 15FOR-AX or QX to create fortified lines behind which arquebusiers can shoot while remaining outside the reach of cavalry, as in Nagashino, 1575.
Supplied unpainted.







CODE: 15FOR-Z

This is a generic wooden gate module designed to go on top of 15FOR-Q or 15FOR-S embankments.
It can be easily adapted to use with the low embankment simply by cutting off the small pegs at the bottom. It includes three parts, the gate door can also easily be cut in two to be assembled open or ajar.
Supplied unpainted.







CODE: 15FOR-AY

This is the basic element for a separate ditch to be used on its own or with the 15FOR-A and 15FOR-AX embankments. It is a single straight piece of the standard 40mm frontage, so as to be compatible with the other modules. The depth is 15mm.
Does not require assembly. Supplied unpainted.


Development status:
Design: completed
Master: has been revised
Mold: in progress
Production: this item is expected to be available soon!
Future plans: curved sections...








Code: 15WAL-A

Straight wall section for Ancient Near East fortified towns and fortresses. Part of our HOPPIDUS range of fortifications this is the basic block with which you can model the great city of Troy itself!
More precisely, this model is in Mycenaean style, which makes it particularly suitable not only for the city of Troy, but for all ancient Middle-Eastern City States and colonies, including those in Egypt, Assyria, present-day Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. Like all major architectural works of the past the building of such walls would take decades and last for centuries. In later age existing fortifications of this scale would be incorporate into new ones, so it can be added to any ancient town or village around the Mediterranean and in the Near East from the beginning of history well into Colonial times! The model is composed of two parts and the assembled piece is 120x27 mm at the base and 68mm tall. It is designed specifically to be compatible with standard 15mm base frontage and can accomodate up to three 40mm wide - 20mm deep bases on the ramparts.
Two parts. Require basic assembly. Supplied unpainted.

15mm straight wall 15mm straight wall




15mm ANE straight wall section
15mm ANE straight wall section


Code: 15TOW-A

In-line tower for Ancient Near East fortified towns and fortresses. Part of our HOPPIDUS range of fortifications this is another basic block with which you can model the great city of Troy itself!
More precisely, this model is in Mycenaean style, which makes it particularly suitable not only for the city of Troy, but for all ancient Middle-Eastern City States and colonies, including those in Egypt, Assyria, present-day Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. Like all major architectural works of the past the building of such walls would take decades and last for centuries. In later age existing fortifications of this scale would be incorporate into new ones, so it can be added to any ancient town or village around the Mediterranean and in the Near East from the beginning of history well into Colonial times! The model is composed of two parts and the assembled piece is 65x55 mm at the base and 103mm tall. It is designed specifically to be compatible with standard 15mm base frontage and can confortably accomodate a square 40mm wide base on the top platform.
Two parts. Require basic assembly. Supplied unpainted.

15mm line tower 15mm line tower





15mm ANE straight wall section
15mm ANE straight wall section


Code: 15GAT-A

Straight in-line wall gate section for Ancient Near East fortified towns and fortresses. Part of our HOPPIDUS range of fortifications this is another basic block with which you can model the great city of Troy!
More precisely, this model is in Mycenaean style, which makes it particularly suitable not only for the city of Troy, but for all ancient Middle-Eastern City States and colonies, including those in Egypt, Assyria, present-day Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. Like all major architectural works of the past the building of such walls would take decades and last for centuries. In later age existing fortifications of this scale would be incorporate into new ones, so it can be added to any ancient town or village around the Mediterranean and in the Near East from the beginning of history well into Colonial times! The model is composed of two parts and the assembled piece is 120x27 mm at the base and 68mm tall. It is designed specifically to be compatible with standard 15mm base frontage and can accomodate up to three 40mm wide - 20mm deep bases on the ramparts. The opening is exactly 40mm wide; the door itself is cast in a single piece and is preset to be cut in two if you want to position it open or ajar. A separate beam to bar the gate close is provided.
5 parts. Require assembly. Supplied unpainted.

15mm wall gate 15mm wall gate




15mm ANE wall gate section
15mm ANE wall gate section


Code: 15BTS

Straight buttress module for Ancient Near East fortified towns and fortresses. Part of our HOPPIDUS range of fortifications this humble-looking element will greatly extend the flexibility of your walled city set!
Use it to hide an unwanted door in a tower, or to close the end of a wall section, or just as a scenic addition to add variety to your layout. This model is very generic in style, which makes it suitable for any stone building from the beginning of history well into Colonial times! The model is a single piece is 28mm wide at the base and 73mm tall. It is designed specifically to be compatible with the rest of the range, both in size and style.
Pack of 4. Supplied unpainted.


15mm wall gate




15mm buttress


Code: 15CTF

Angled counterfort module for Ancient Near East fortified towns and fortresses. Part of our HOPPIDUS range of fortifications this element is an alternative to 15BTS and will greatly extend the flexibility of your walled city set!
Use it to hide an unwanted door in a tower, or to close the end of a wall section, or just as a scenic addition to add variety to your layout. This model is very generic in style, which makes it suitable for any stone building from the beginning of history well into Colonial times! The model is a single piece is 28mm wide at the base and 73mm tall. It is designed specifically to be compatible with the rest of the range, both in size and style.
Pack of 2. Supplied unpainted.

15mm Angled counterfort




15mm counterfort


HOP7-b

40mm wide wickerwork gabions field fortifications!
Does not require assembly. Supplied unpainted.



CODE HOP7-b: 2 x 40mm gabion entrenchement sections EURO€ 5.00
Quantity:





GAB2 - Wickerwork gabions

This pack include sixteen gabions which are highly detailed and accurately scaled reproductions of the real thing. Gabions were wicker round cages with open tops and bottoms, filled with earth or stones and used to quickly erect a fortification able to offer good protection from increasingly powerful firearms.The wickerwork cylinders were light and could be carried relatively conveniently or even assembled on the site of use in the field. They would always be put up to defend field artillery emplacements and were a fundamental part of any siege line or hastily fortified position. You can use them to create your own set-up or next to our own ACW1 infantry entrenchments or ACW2 artillery positions to create corners or curves in a continuous line of fortifications, as shown here.
Diameter is 7.5mm, average height is approxiamtely 12mm. Supplied unpainted.






CODE GAB2: 16 x individual gabions EURO€ 5.00
Quantity: