Skeletons have been part of mythology for a long time, symbolizing death and the certainty of dying. In ancient Greek tales, skeletons are seen as animated warriors, like in Jason and the Argonauts, where they are raised by dark magic to fight.

Perhaps the oldest story of animated skeletons is found in the book of Ezekiel Chapter 37.

The Lord’s hand was on me, and He took me to a valley filled with dry bones. He showed me around, and I saw many dry bones on the ground. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I spoke what I was told. While I was speaking, I heard a noise, a rattling, and the bones joined together. I saw tendons and flesh appear on them, and then skin covered them, but they still had no breath.

Then he told me, “Prophesy to the wind; tell it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, wind, from the four corners and breathe into these slain, so they may live.’” So I prophesied as he instructed me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up—a vast army.

New International Version (my paraphrase) Ezekiel Chapter 37: v4 – 10.

Although it symbolizes the spiritual condition of the exiled Israelites, it is also the earliest instance of animated skeletons I can find. This highlights that animated skeletons, like all myths, convey a message – BUT NOT THESE CREATURES!

Well in the “book of Guru” there is one myth, and that is that Guru will smite all animated skeletons with mighty dice rolls! The real message is Guru should replace his dice!

These ten archers are from the Wargames Atlantic box set. A bit of a pain to put together as well as a bit fragile.

Some more finished in a little while. I am struggling with the four winds at the moment.