A Question for the Historians

[Ranika]

Celts forming "testudo's"? wow...
were they trained to be able to do it? or was it just an occasional happening?
weasn't it reasoanbly ineffective with those ovular shields?

It wasn't a 'testudo', perse, but a similar formation. And one could logically close gaps with such a form, but it's mainly mentioned in relation to Belgae, and Belgae didn't use oval shields near as often (save cavalry); they used hexagonal shields, which can more easily form a very well sealed position; makes sense, the Belgae probably engaged in more sapping and other such work than other Celts, and likely had more of a reason to use equipment better suited to keep them covered.

Other Celts, however, do show such things in metalwork and stonework, and it likely served the same, or a similar purpose. It would hardly be ineffective, a Celtic oval shield overlapping additional shields could form quite a well defended 'shell' from arrows, and would be useful for nearing fortified positions, like, perhaps, the gate of a fortress (and Gallic forts were very well-fortified; it seems likely such a manuever developed in response to fortifications and the necessity to get close and set gates and gatehouses aflame). Now, would it be effective as the Roman testudo? Unlikely; their shields still wouldn't form as tight a seal, except for the Belgae, probably, but that doesn't mean it'd be 'ineffective'; it would surely stop many projectiles.