Covering behind shields reinforced with hardened scales, these spearmen are exceptionally well defended against missiles.
Description
Tacitus wrote that the Bastarnae had debased themselves through intermarriage with Sarmatians. Apparently, there was some substance to that allegation, as Strabo had earlier counted the Sarmatian Roxolani as a Bastarnae subtribe. Given the intermingling of blood, there must also have been a mixing of a fighting styles and armaments.
