10-16-2008, 12:29 PM
a few points;
(1) That statue is, I believe, a few hundred years prior to Telamon.
(2) The majority of numistic evidence shows La Tene era Gauls sans armour, the exceptions being mail.
(3) It has been noted by different writers and at different times that the Gauls were generally armourless, an exception being the Crupellarius, which I have my doubts about.
(3) If felt as being generally used as an armour in 225BC it would have had a mention somewhere and if it was particular to Gauls then it would have been specifically mention as they were a big topic in those days. I know one bunch of guys who would have been using it, if it was cheap and effective ... Romans.
Keep in mind what Polybius is saying, that the naked warriors suffered more than those with clothes via Velite javelins. Armour aside, why so ... did they not have shields? As you have pointed out ordinary clothes would not impede a javelin. I dont think it reasonable to assume armour from what Polybius said. I am not convinced that the Geastate were anihilated for any reason other than they were in the front line and threw themselves at the Roman line. I think he was exagerating for effect on his Roman audience.
(1) That statue is, I believe, a few hundred years prior to Telamon.
(2) The majority of numistic evidence shows La Tene era Gauls sans armour, the exceptions being mail.
(3) It has been noted by different writers and at different times that the Gauls were generally armourless, an exception being the Crupellarius, which I have my doubts about.
(3) If felt as being generally used as an armour in 225BC it would have had a mention somewhere and if it was particular to Gauls then it would have been specifically mention as they were a big topic in those days. I know one bunch of guys who would have been using it, if it was cheap and effective ... Romans.
Keep in mind what Polybius is saying, that the naked warriors suffered more than those with clothes via Velite javelins. Armour aside, why so ... did they not have shields? As you have pointed out ordinary clothes would not impede a javelin. I dont think it reasonable to assume armour from what Polybius said. I am not convinced that the Geastate were anihilated for any reason other than they were in the front line and threw themselves at the Roman line. I think he was exagerating for effect on his Roman audience.
Conal Moran
Do or do not, there is no try!
Yoda
Do or do not, there is no try!
Yoda
