Thats not what I mean by source. I mean verifiable independent information.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
Printable View
Thats not what I mean by source. I mean verifiable independent information.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
I think it depends on if theres any evidence that Gauls were concentrated into specific units in such a way that the entire unit would be substantially taller and stronger than the average Legion. I havent seen anything to suggest that.Quote:
Originally Posted by PSYCHO V
Polybius does qoute their size as being greater, and while he notes them as being taller, he puts it across as slighter than the truly intimidating portion of their size. Their size was truly greatest in breadth of their shoulders, not their height (though, I will admit the average Gaul was taller then, but that still doesn't seem that important of a factor in determining a new unit to me). Their height would probably be frightening, but their width I would imagine to be more intimidating, and that still doesn't warrant a viable unit, just because of size differences, which would still be slight. 4 inches taller is not very well shown on a unit of tiny men. Nor would it really make much of a difference in the unit itself. They would fight the same way, same equipment, and doesn't warrant a unit.
Gauls were welcomed into the legion after being 'naturalized' as Romans, weren't they? In that vein, wouldn't they just be organized into pre-existing Roman units?
The only Celt of great enough height that I'd imagine would cast a huge disparity between a Roman legion and Celtic legion, would be Britons. They were taller than Gauls. They or Germans I could see, being about half a foot taller than a Roman, but the Gauls just don't seem big enough that they'd look much different once dressed up and marching with Romans.
However, I don't think the Britons and Germans were recruited into the legion, were they? More over, Gallic 'strength', while I'd not doubt impressive, would seem hardly realistic to make a unit for either. The Gauls would be trained in a Roman fashion, that'd include their physical training, diet, etc. Any greater or lesser strength of a Gaul would be lost, he would be strong as a Roman.
Well I dont really understand why you are still insisting that there werent significant height and size differences when all sources be it ancient historians or modern anthropologists acknowledge the significant height and size advantage of the various Celtic people from the Gauls to the Iberians over that of the slight Italians. This comes from dietary AND genetic factors.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
That aside, on the issue of germans recruited into the legion they were recruited by certain emperors as bodyguard units specifically because of their size and their isolation from the culture for loyalty purposes... we see this throughout history in other circumstances like the Varangian Guard in Byzantium and the Swiss Guard in France.
Varangians and the Swiss Guard (who would actually be of Celtic blood, wouldn't they? Had a Helvetii population at one point, didn't it?) don't answer my question though, both of them come later. Were there legions of Germanic or Gallic origin?
I don't see a few inches of height as being significant though for a unit, and since we're talking about a game, that's what should matter. I see it also as little significance even in the real world, if you're talking about Gauls in the legion, because at 100 meters, a line of men standing in formation, if there are any significant number of Gauls in it, aren't going to look that much bigger anyway. More over, the Gauls wouldn't be incorporated into their own unit, they would be incorporated into units of Romans, wouldn't they? And size itself does not necessarily imply a great deal of strength, just the same as a short height does not mean one is a weakling. What I mean by that is, no matter size differences between Gauls and Romans, Gauls are not giants, and Romans aren't midgets, so given the same diet and physical training, which a Gallic legionnare would have with a Roman legionnare, he won't be significantly stronger. The whole height argument was a devil's advocate thing anyway. But irregardless, there's no reason for Celtic legions without proof that there were exclusively Celtic-blooded units. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it just seems unlikely.
As for Germanic bodyguards, were they used in large enough numbers, within the period, to constitute a unit? If they were, I'd have no objections to that as a new unit for Romans maybe, though I'd think there are some other more important additions that could be made for Rome. More types of Auxilia maybe?
Get involved in some kind of martial arts. A few inches of height is a significant advantage in any hand to hand combat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
Thats assuming a Gallic and Roman legionnare have the same genetics and diet while growing up. Seems like a pretty bad assumption. Also the Celts were known as a race of giants according to ancient sources.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
Thats what I dont know. Where entire legions levied locally or where recruits gathered at central locations and then trained as replacements?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
Maybe both depending on the circumstances. It would take some research to find out.
Not sure how many were used in the emperors bodyguard. Would be interesting to find out same thing with Praetorian guard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranika
Forget it, guys. The poll is clear.