Every last piece of equipment of the Roman soldier from the abandonment of the phalanx to the development of the lorica segmentata (Montefortino helmet, chainmail, gladius, scutum) except the pilum was of original "barbarian" invention. The Montefortino helmet was immensely popular among Roman soldiers in the Republican period and Imperial period, and was standard issue for several centuries; the helmet was Celtic. Chainmail was the favoured armour of the Roman soldier for centuries because of its flexibility and proctective capabilities; it was a Celtic invention. The magnificient "gladius hispannicus" or "spanish sword" which the Romans used until their collapse was Iberian in origin. The scutum, or long, flat shield, which the Romans used universally until the disappearance of both their empires was Celtic in origin. The "Coolus" type helmet used by the Romans after the Montefortino went out of style was Gallic in origin and the Romans never managed to dupicate its superb craftsmanship without the help of Celtic smiths. Additionally, the reason the Romans never adopted the Iberian falcata was because they could never achieve the same level of metalworking skill as the Iberians.

Ignorant and savage my foot; go read a book, Pindar. The Romans would never have achieved what they did without "barbarian" inventions and innovations.


- Panda