THE CELTIC PANOPLY, AS WORN AROUND 279 BC THE CELTS OF BRENNUS

The Celts commonly appear in Greco-Roman literature and sculpture as naked warriors who fought with little more than a sword and a shield. However, archaeology tells us that the Celts had a complex arsenal of weapons and armour. What, then, did the Celts during Brennus’ invasion of Greece in 279 BC wear?

By Gustavo Garcia

After the defeat of the forces of Brennus at Delphi, the Aetolians, who thought themselves to be the main actors to repulse the Celts, built some monuments to celebrate their bitter victory. Among these there was a large bronze female statue depicting Aetolia herself personified in triumph on a throne over a pile of Celtic weapons (Pausanias, 10.18.7). Nothing remains of the sculpture today, but the stone pedestal that supported it has been preserved, bearing depictions of Greek arms together with several oval shields, two carnyces, and at least one helmet with triangular cheek-pieces and a central knob. In addition, some coins minted by the Aetolians around 239–229 BC show what this monument had looked like. Those are the earliest known Greek depictions of Celtic arms, even earlier than the…

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Ancient Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, AW XVII.2

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