A CELTIC WARRIOR
Celtic warriors were trained fighters that protected the tuath. For hundreds of years the Celtic warrior represented the typical barbarian warrior to the settled peoples of the Mediterranean. To the Romans, Greeks and other "civilized" people the Celts where a reoccurring nightmare . It was a well earned reputation, and they repeatedly gave the Mediterranean world reason to fear them. Celtic warriors stood a head taller than their Mediterranean opponents and are described as having muscular physics. The Celtic warriors, or Gauls as they were called in the French part of their range, spiked their hair up with lime and wore horned and winged helmets to emphasize their large stature. Their attacks on the battlefield were fearless, wild and Savage, but they were also skilled and deadly. As the Celts spread over their vast range, having conquered most of Europe at their height, their warriors developed different styles of warfare.
In Britain they continued to fight from chariots that they had adapted to rough ground. However, whether in Asia minor or Ireland the Celtic warrior remained essentially the same, a capable warrior and someone to be fearedLead by war chiefs, who could at times command the warriors of multiple tribes, the Celtic warriors invaded the “civilized” lands of Europe.
The Celtic Nightmare
To the Romans the people of the East lacked manliness and vigor. This is how they regarded the Egyptians and peoples of the Near East, but the Celts where a different matter. The Roman's had more respect for their bravery and ability to fight toe to toe. They considered the Gauls to be powerful, although crazy and felt the Celtic warriors of the Iberian Peninsula where cunning and skilled. If fact, the very real threat that their empire would be wiped out by a Celtic invasion was always in the back of their minds and almost came true on several occasions. It took the Roman military 500 years before they achieved security from the threat of Celtic warriors pouring through the gates of Rome.
The Celtic Warriors Weapons
The Celts used a multiplicity of ancient weapons, which is to probably due to their warrior culture. Distance combat weapons were javelins, harpoons, bows and slings. The stones of
the slings were usually taken out of rivers, since these were well formed by the current. Young warriors fought usually with primitive javelins, slings and bows, while well crafted pila or harpoon type javelins were carried by Celtic champions. The Gaesatae, a group of Celtic warriors from the Alps are said to have used poison on their ranged weapons. In late ancient times the
Picts already used light crossbows. As close-range weapons spears, two-hand hammers, axes and swords would be used. The swords were initially short swords, but later became long swords. Celtic swords varied greatly in their quality. There were true masterpieces, but some ancient writer’s report of swords which after the first impact of a warrior bent or became blunt. Some particularly large and well crafted swords have been found in England that may have been for rituals; however, a military employment is also possible. The celtic, Celtiberian (that’s a mixed celtic and Iberian tribe) and Iberian tribes of Hibernia (modern spain) fashioned a short, double sided sword that was ideal for stabbing. This weapon became the model for the roman gladius, used by the roman legions. Celtic Spear possessed relatively broad points and were a grand example of this weapon type. Axes, two-hand hammers and two-hand swords (Claymore) were also used, but rather rarer weapons. Nevertheless they belong to the Celtic arsenal and worked well against well protected opponents. The force of such, heavy weapon was so great they could cause fatal injuries through chainmail armor.
The Celtic Warriors
Armor
Early La-Tene era Celtic warriors did not wear armor, although nobles occasionally wore chest plates and chainmail, a Celtic invention according to the Romans. Later leather armor, light bronze breast plates, chain shirts and scale armor were employed, although typically beyond
the means of common warriors. A special form of armor the Celts developed was called Ceannlann armor. It is a layer of metal scales sewn onto linen which is in turn sown on to chain armor creating a very effective multilayer armor that could cover the entire body. Helmets were also uncommon at first and mostly worn by nobles. Celtic warriors were known to fasten feathers, wings or horse tails to their helmets. Some helmets had real horns or metal horns attached in order to create a fearsome look. Celtic warriors frequently employed shields in all ranges and time periods. Round shields were usually used by light infantrymen or cavalry.
Heavy infantrymen carried long shields, usually square, oval or hexagonally. The warrior of a chariot crew probably carried an infantry shield. The Celts often took great pride in the crafting of their shields. They used hide covered wood with metal ribbing, spines and edges. They were covered with Celtic designs of spirals, circles and animal motifs. One example that survived,
dating from 300 BC to 100 AD, called the Battersea Shield is a constructed
using sheet bronze and decorated in La Tène art style. It was impractical for combat and most likely only used for ritual purposes. Celtic shield designs were frequently imitated throughout the classic western world. For clothing the Celtic warrior usually wore the so-called Braccae wool trousers and a light cloak. Although the Romans reported one group of Celts charged into battle completely naked!!!
Celtic Cavalry
At first horses were used only in conjunction with chariots. Each chariot consisted of two crew members: A driver and a noble warrior or champion. The ancient writers describe the Celtic chariots use as a mixture of cavalry and infantry tactics. The chariot would drive into the battle where the warrior jumps out of the vehicle and fights as an infantry warrior. Once the warrior tired he would jump back on the chariot. The chariots would also drive up and down the battle lines throwing javelins and intimidating opponents with the load noises they made. Caesar describes that the drivers as extremely agile on the chariot, they would even climb forward on the yoke in order to steer the horses better. Celtic hariots used a suspension system that allowed them to operate on rough ground and even on steep hillsides.Mounted cavalry arose only later, particularly in Britain where chariots were still used in battle much longer than anywhere
else in the world. Celtic riders were usually rather light cavalry. They fought by first unleashing a hail of javelins on their opponents, then they followed up by attacking with lances and swords.
Celtic Warrior Culture
The Celts were a warrior culture. Fighters were admired like heroes and courage in the battleground was an important virtue. The Celtic elite fighters functioned as models, which should inspire other warriors by their courage. The Celts cut off the heads of killed enemies and collected them. It was considered a spiritual gesture. The head was valued by the Celts as the seat of life, emotions and the soul. He who had captured a head attained the strength
of the fallen enemy. Such trophies were bound to their horse or fastened to their belts, a practice that also served to cause fear in their enemies. One of the main motivations of Celtic warriors was the pursuit of glory and to this end the Celts loved exhibition when in battle. Thus there are legends of a Celtic ruler who drove a silver chariot into battle. Naturally silver is very soft and rather unsuitable for a chariot, but the hostile war bands took to flight at the sight of it. Warriors often painted themselves with woed, a blue dye, or used war cries in order to intimidate their enemies. Celtic warriors would also wear horned helmets or helmets topped with horse tails into the battle to intimidate their enemies and make themselves appear taller. A helmet was found crowned with a metal raven. When the wearer ran the metal wings of the raven would flap and strike the helm. This is an allusion on the Celtic mythology in which the death goddess gets the souls of the fallen warriors in shape of a raven.
In Britain they continued to fight from chariots that they had adapted to rough ground. However, whether in Asia minor or Ireland the Celtic warrior remained essentially the same, a capable warrior and someone to be fearedLead by war chiefs, who could at times command the warriors of multiple tribes, the Celtic warriors invaded the “civilized” lands of Europe.
The Celtic Nightmare
To the Romans the people of the East lacked manliness and vigor. This is how they regarded the Egyptians and peoples of the Near East, but the Celts where a different matter. The Roman's had more respect for their bravery and ability to fight toe to toe. They considered the Gauls to be powerful, although crazy and felt the Celtic warriors of the Iberian Peninsula where cunning and skilled. If fact, the very real threat that their empire would be wiped out by a Celtic invasion was always in the back of their minds and almost came true on several occasions. It took the Roman military 500 years before they achieved security from the threat of Celtic warriors pouring through the gates of Rome.
The Celtic Warriors Weapons
The Celts used a multiplicity of ancient weapons, which is to probably due to their warrior culture. Distance combat weapons were javelins, harpoons, bows and slings. The stones of
the slings were usually taken out of rivers, since these were well formed by the current. Young warriors fought usually with primitive javelins, slings and bows, while well crafted pila or harpoon type javelins were carried by Celtic champions. The Gaesatae, a group of Celtic warriors from the Alps are said to have used poison on their ranged weapons. In late ancient times the
Picts already used light crossbows. As close-range weapons spears, two-hand hammers, axes and swords would be used. The swords were initially short swords, but later became long swords. Celtic swords varied greatly in their quality. There were true masterpieces, but some ancient writer’s report of swords which after the first impact of a warrior bent or became blunt. Some particularly large and well crafted swords have been found in England that may have been for rituals; however, a military employment is also possible. The celtic, Celtiberian (that’s a mixed celtic and Iberian tribe) and Iberian tribes of Hibernia (modern spain) fashioned a short, double sided sword that was ideal for stabbing. This weapon became the model for the roman gladius, used by the roman legions. Celtic Spear possessed relatively broad points and were a grand example of this weapon type. Axes, two-hand hammers and two-hand swords (Claymore) were also used, but rather rarer weapons. Nevertheless they belong to the Celtic arsenal and worked well against well protected opponents. The force of such, heavy weapon was so great they could cause fatal injuries through chainmail armor.
The Celtic Warriors
Armor
Early La-Tene era Celtic warriors did not wear armor, although nobles occasionally wore chest plates and chainmail, a Celtic invention according to the Romans. Later leather armor, light bronze breast plates, chain shirts and scale armor were employed, although typically beyond
the means of common warriors. A special form of armor the Celts developed was called Ceannlann armor. It is a layer of metal scales sewn onto linen which is in turn sown on to chain armor creating a very effective multilayer armor that could cover the entire body. Helmets were also uncommon at first and mostly worn by nobles. Celtic warriors were known to fasten feathers, wings or horse tails to their helmets. Some helmets had real horns or metal horns attached in order to create a fearsome look. Celtic warriors frequently employed shields in all ranges and time periods. Round shields were usually used by light infantrymen or cavalry.
Heavy infantrymen carried long shields, usually square, oval or hexagonally. The warrior of a chariot crew probably carried an infantry shield. The Celts often took great pride in the crafting of their shields. They used hide covered wood with metal ribbing, spines and edges. They were covered with Celtic designs of spirals, circles and animal motifs. One example that survived,
dating from 300 BC to 100 AD, called the Battersea Shield is a constructed
using sheet bronze and decorated in La Tène art style. It was impractical for combat and most likely only used for ritual purposes. Celtic shield designs were frequently imitated throughout the classic western world. For clothing the Celtic warrior usually wore the so-called Braccae wool trousers and a light cloak. Although the Romans reported one group of Celts charged into battle completely naked!!!
Celtic Cavalry
At first horses were used only in conjunction with chariots. Each chariot consisted of two crew members: A driver and a noble warrior or champion. The ancient writers describe the Celtic chariots use as a mixture of cavalry and infantry tactics. The chariot would drive into the battle where the warrior jumps out of the vehicle and fights as an infantry warrior. Once the warrior tired he would jump back on the chariot. The chariots would also drive up and down the battle lines throwing javelins and intimidating opponents with the load noises they made. Caesar describes that the drivers as extremely agile on the chariot, they would even climb forward on the yoke in order to steer the horses better. Celtic hariots used a suspension system that allowed them to operate on rough ground and even on steep hillsides.Mounted cavalry arose only later, particularly in Britain where chariots were still used in battle much longer than anywhere
else in the world. Celtic riders were usually rather light cavalry. They fought by first unleashing a hail of javelins on their opponents, then they followed up by attacking with lances and swords.
Celtic Warrior Culture
The Celts were a warrior culture. Fighters were admired like heroes and courage in the battleground was an important virtue. The Celtic elite fighters functioned as models, which should inspire other warriors by their courage. The Celts cut off the heads of killed enemies and collected them. It was considered a spiritual gesture. The head was valued by the Celts as the seat of life, emotions and the soul. He who had captured a head attained the strength
of the fallen enemy. Such trophies were bound to their horse or fastened to their belts, a practice that also served to cause fear in their enemies. One of the main motivations of Celtic warriors was the pursuit of glory and to this end the Celts loved exhibition when in battle. Thus there are legends of a Celtic ruler who drove a silver chariot into battle. Naturally silver is very soft and rather unsuitable for a chariot, but the hostile war bands took to flight at the sight of it. Warriors often painted themselves with woed, a blue dye, or used war cries in order to intimidate their enemies. Celtic warriors would also wear horned helmets or helmets topped with horse tails into the battle to intimidate their enemies and make themselves appear taller. A helmet was found crowned with a metal raven. When the wearer ran the metal wings of the raven would flap and strike the helm. This is an allusion on the Celtic mythology in which the death goddess gets the souls of the fallen warriors in shape of a raven.
By Jamie Morgan and James Murphy
