06-15-2009, 11:27 AM
Back the the dicussion of how much the native Britons lost during four centuries of Roman occupation:
We should also note that Briton tribal structure reasserted itself--in the same tribes in approximately the same areas. That phenomena is partly explained because the Romans used local political structures to rule conquered lands, but it also begs the question of what other tribal characteristics survived Roman culturization? Perhaps the warrior traditions of the peoples survioved as well. Maybe the sangs and poems of the people, through which their values as well as identity are transmitted, included heroic stories, now lost.
That's all speculation, but in the sixth century Gildas does refer to chariots, which was a notable war vehicle in the first century. Apparently some trappings of Briton warriors survived somehow.
We should also note that Briton tribal structure reasserted itself--in the same tribes in approximately the same areas. That phenomena is partly explained because the Romans used local political structures to rule conquered lands, but it also begs the question of what other tribal characteristics survived Roman culturization? Perhaps the warrior traditions of the peoples survioved as well. Maybe the sangs and poems of the people, through which their values as well as identity are transmitted, included heroic stories, now lost.
That's all speculation, but in the sixth century Gildas does refer to chariots, which was a notable war vehicle in the first century. Apparently some trappings of Briton warriors survived somehow.
"Fugit irreparabile tempus" (Irrecoverable time glides away) Virgil
Ron Andrea
Ron Andrea
