The second phase is to find secondary sources. Illustrations and photos of the renaactor or of reconstructed parts/pieces. As you can see, not all the armor belongs to infantry, or at least I'm skeptical about using it en masse. I need more references for this idea... and I'm look around trying to drawings and wargaming figures or even Total war forums/Tale forums. I also read, but for an artist, reading is not the same as watching. And if not, I resort to making drawings or asking an artist to do it for me. We used to turn to Lorgood for sketching. Lately we've been resorting to @Obskiuras We had several artists, none of them active. Some of our artists have gone on to work on current Age of Empires projects. 

I'll show you an example of something very problematic.   This unit is problematic.  This is the primary evidence. As far as I know, there is no archaeological evidence of this equipment. When I say archaeological, I mean that this equipment was never found. It was only found artistically. Again, I repeat, as far as I know.

What is modern to you?   Fantasy is more probably and best choice of words. You're missing something very important; I'm not the one who's going to design the final textures. You're new here... I'm not, maybe my username is. The process that our units go through is very detailed. They will not be based on a single illustration. Then one or several artists create initial designs, which are then evaluated by the community and experts. Forums are for discussing and presenting evidence.   What I want from AI is for it to save me from having to combine several concepts at the same time. I can tell you to take the helmet from one side, take the armor from the other.   I will open a topic on the use of AI in 2026 because probably another year of advancement, investment in data center and memory, plus learning, will allow it to do detailed things. It would be interesting if Angus McBride himself drew oriental archers that Palmyra could have used.

Hi everyone, as some of you may already know, @SneakEP is hosting a summer tournament. I have the honour to announce, that thanks to @freyabartok, this tournament has the most epic prize that i have seen so far. You can win this hand-embroidered 0 AD - Pullover ! If you want to join the tournament and stay informed follow: https://discord.gg/bWZS85Sj7 D05C85DC-110C-4F6D-ACE7-5205E8FF6371.MP4    

Which is my point. Your image now is much closer to what we actually know about. Both styles are quite different.