What are these Gaesataes?

Please, my understanding of Polybius and Irish/Scot Gaelic is that this term literally meant spearmen? Of course there is more to it, but not as much as I've seen written in this forum. As far as game play, I assume this term was applied to groups of undressed fanatics which are easy enough dispatched if handled without panic. So, please tell what some here think that the term Gaesatae actually meant?

they are naked fanatics names after the spear they carry. so you are correct.

Gaesatae don't have spears though.

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Originally Posted by iwwtf_az

so you are correct.

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Again, as far as game play, yes the term Gaesatae is used for naked fanatics. However, historically I do not know what some here think, the term actually implied?

Yeah, they were named for their abilities to throw their javelins for incredible distances.

From reading Polybius, I understand the naked fanatic comment concerned a particular group of warriors that demonstrated in front of the overall allied formation. Polybius, also stated that the Gaesatae represented a large element of this allied formation, and not just the naked fanatic component.

Again, as far as EB is concerned the name is not really an issue. However, from reviewing some of the postings herein it seems some may be a bit confused? Maybe the confusion is because the Kelts had so many words for the spear, or is that 'Celtic elite units' thread just more crazy talk?

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Originally Posted by EB

{celtic_infantry_gaesatae_descr}
Elite
Impetuous
Frightens Infantry
Very Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Forests

The Gaesatae (Guy-sah-tay; "Spearmen") are easily one of the most fearsome groups of warriors in the known world. They fight stripped bare but for neck torcs and sometimes their shoes or boots. They fight with longswords, but are named for their incredible skill with javelins; they can hurl them unnaturally long distances and deal great damage with them. Their charge is most ferocious though, causing many lines to simply fold and flee. This is not all solely due to skill and strength, though they are experienced and huge, muscular men. They imbibe a chemical before battle making them seemingly impervious to pain. They will fight to the very end, and are very destructive when employed properly.

Historically, the Gaesatae were Gallic naked religious fanatics. Their skill was a source of terror, and their frightful appearance shook many. Most horrifying, even beyond their size and skill and terrifying cries, was their seeming invincibility. A chemical they used allowed them to brush off and ignore any pain. They were remarked to do things such as rip javelins that had struck them free from their bodies, and hurl them back, and continue to fight with gashes and wounds that would have surely fell a normal man. They were Hannibal's favored Gallic mercenaries, and were used as his personal guards, as they were so devoted and trustworthy, as well as brave and skilled.

{celtic_infantry_gaesatae_descr_short}
Gaesatae are an elite, infantry-killing shock unit - one of the most fearsome in the ancient world.

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In EBH Teutatis is also mentioned in connection with them, and that they were people who "abandoned their tribal heritage to seek fortune, glory and heroic death". I don't know why this information was omitted, but I haven't read the whole discussion, and it could have been decided that it wasn't accurate for all of them, or some other reason for not including it.

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Originally Posted by bovi

In EBH Teutatis is also mentioned in connection with them, and that they were people who "abandoned their tribal heritage to seek fortune, glory and heroic death". I don't know why this information was omitted, but I haven't read the whole discussion, and it could have been decided that it wasn't accurate for all of them, or some other reason for not including it.

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Thanks bovi, your right this was one of the most important aspect of the Gaesatae. Somewhat a kin to the unwanted Medieval youth that were recruited for the various crusades.