Unit Browser for RTR: Imperium Surrectum

Short description

Young Celtic warriors often fought as unarmoured javelinmen, bravery being their most important weapon

Description

Young Celtic warriors often fought as unarmoured javelinmen, bravery being their most important weapon.

When the Galatians first arrived in Asia in 278 BC, their manner of waging war was still traditionally Celtic, even though they had begun adopting Greek elements. The poorer and youngest male members of the migrant group were unable to afford the proud panoply of the nobles and thus often fought as skirmishers. Equipped with two heavy javelins, they have been trained to harass the enemy from distance, but need to be kept away from melee. A young Celtic man who managed to kill an enemy in battle or show his bravery could quickly rise through the ranks to attain greater status and thus weapons. Hence these skirmishers will fight with vigour and courage and should not be underestimated.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The javelin was arguably the most widespread weapon in the Celtic world. It could be used by every warrior, from unarmoured conscripts to the heavily armoured nobleman, from footmen to horsemen. The most popular variant was a heavy shanked javelin that could be up to 2.4m long (even though it was usually shorter) and was able to penetrate or at least stuck in shields to make them unwieldy. The neighbours (and victims) of the Celts quickly realised the deadly potential of the weapon and adopted it in different forms from Iberia to North Africa, with the most famous example being the Roman pilum.