Naked units?

[georgeman51]

Besides wasn't being naked not such a cultural taboo back then? Still was quite scary to see a guy willing to forsake protection (HAHA) and charge at you wielding a rather large sword.

That sounded quiet 'Wrong'

[Macilrille]

Copied from a comment I made in the EB II Forum about Celtic Endowments (of all things trivial...).

Gaesatai, looking frightening, erect and naked, "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHRRR!!!! Die Roman Scum!!!"


Elephant, "How do you pick up anything with that?"

Gaesatai, puzzled and suddenly aware of his endowment compared to elephant, "Eh??"

Caius Cominius Dolabra, ducking low and with a precise stab, "There you go, problem removed".

Never understood the idea of running into battle with your knob swinging openly and exposed to cuts. Especially since I have had mine hit with a hard blow from a sword (fortunately a blunt) and I can tell you it definately takes you out of action.

[TruePraetorian]

Perhaps it is because many people have a deep fear of serpents and snakes. Or maybe it was a backup weapon.

Actually to my knowledge the reason men charged into battle naked was because of the drugs, to instill fear in the enemy, and I believe the main reason is because they did not need armor or shields because the power of their faith protected them.

I remember reading about how some vikings or nords or people of the sort charged into battle shieldless for this exact reason: their faith was the shield that protected them.

[georgeman51]

Were naked soldiers common in the past?

[Andy1984]

Were naked soldiers common in the past?

I guess fighting naked must have been a common part of tradition in several cultures, one of them being the Gallic cultures. Diodorus Siculus, Livius, Polybius and Dionysios of Halicarnassos all wrote of Gallic soldiers fighting naked.

However, to be sure these recordings aren't a mere copies of one another, or even 'myths', one should confront them with a gallic source telling about naked soldiers. Are there any gallic statues, pictures, stories or some other source (perhaps even written by a conquered gaul) telling about naked soldiers?

[Aemilius Paulus]

I remember reading about how some vikings or nords or....

Nords? This is no Mount and Blade . It is Norse. Nords only exist in M&B.

Good to see a fellow fan . Or maybe simply a fellow absent-minded person .

[Exosus]

Nords? This is no Mount and Blade . It is Norse. Nords only exist in M&B.

Good to see a fellow fan . Or maybe simply a fellow absent-minded person .

The word Nord is actually something which was appropriated from history by the fantasy industry. Nord was originally one of a few singular specific forms of Norse, the other most common being Norseman. I don't have a reference handy, but the word does appear in historical texts. It has fallen out of fashion with the academic community in direct proportion to its rising popularity in fiction.

In ancient times, and even as recently as the late 1800s, language was far less standardized than it is now. Many slight variations existed for any given word, and Nord(ic) is an example of that. Most of these variations died out and were lost to history or filed under "archaic/obsolete" but that one survived for whatever reason. One form actually appears in Mirriam-Webster, although it is incorrect regarding the nominal form.

Regarding the OT it's pretty much been answered. Demonstration of bravery, intimidation of the enemy, paradoxical love of, and disregard for, one's mangina, etc.

[Andy1984]

That sounded quiet 'Wrong'

It probably did also to the Romans who were to be intimidated by such traditions, as it probably did to the other gallic soldiers who saw an incredible courage demonstrated.

[georgeman51]

I hate it when I fight my hastati Head-To-Head with naked celtic spearmen and the spearmen win, my hastati had 3 chevrons and and a armour upgrade.

[Macilrille]

TP that is 99% one of those myths being perpetuated about my forefathers that is not true but tries to enhance their reputation though the truth should give them a large enough reputation as it is...

[TruePraetorian]

TP that is 99% one of those myths being perpetuated about my forefathers that is not true but tries to enhance their reputation though the truth should give them a large enough reputation as it is...

Ah I see, so the whole faith thing is just a cover story then for all those "free willies?"

[Macilrille]

Probably, people used all sorts of exuses to make pron before pron was legalised ;-)

The Vikings were fearsome enough as it was, no need to add to it.

[TruePraetorian]

Probably, people used all sorts of exuses to make pron before pron was legalised ;-)

The Vikings were fearsome enough as it was, no need to add to it.

Yes, I am sure that is exactly what men in war were making during battle. Forget about the women, they wanted naked men.

As I recall Seutonius wrote:

"And the barbarians charged at Caesar's men with blood hurdling cries, naked in all their ferocity. But in the depths of the sound of battle, Caesar's voice was heard.

'Cut! Alright guys, line up and we will shoot it again. Oh, and Vercingetorix, put a little more sway into your hips this time.'"




EDIT:

Nords? This is no Mount and Blade . It is Norse. Nords only exist in M&B.

Good to see a fellow fan . Or maybe simply a fellow absent-minded person .

Both

[Watchman]

Add in weird magick symbolism to add to the overall intimidation effect, BTW. "Entrusting your survival to the Gods" type of thing from what I gather.