Page:The Celtic Review volume 3.djvu/153

138 OBSERVATIONS OF CLASSICAL WRITERS ON THE HABITS OF THE CELTIC NATIONS, AS ILLUSTRATED FROM IRISH RECORDS

(Continued from p. 76.) We now turn to the observations of the classical writer on the Celtic methods of warfare. Diodorus speaks of the use of chariots of war drawn by two horses, which carry the warrior and his charioteer into battle, after which the fighting man leaps from the chariot and sets to with his sword. He speaks of their ornamented shields and horned helmets, of the many-coloured, embroidered garment and hose, of their lack of armour, except sometimes an iron breastplate, and of the fierce energy which causes them at times to fight entirely unclothed. He speaks of the battle being a series of single combats, rather than a general engagement, of the long trumpet, of the great size of their swords, shaped so as to tear as well as cut, of their lance or javelin, and of the terrific brandishing of the weapons to inspire terror in the enemy. Lastly, he speaks of their fearlessness of death on their own behalf, which he ascribes to the belief in transmigration of souls (a doctrine undoubtedly held in some form by the pagan Irish), and of their horrid pride in the number of their victims, which led them to carry about and preserve the heads of the slain, and to exhibit them in triumph, as the trophies of their valour.

Let me recall to mind the well-known picture of the dying Gaul, called in former times the dying Gladiator. It will be remembered that he wears round the neck the golden twisted torque, so familiar to Irish art, and common to all Celtic gold-producing countries. Beside him lies the long battle-horn, exactly similar to those used in Ireland, and of which many examples are to be seen in the National Museum in Dublin. The hair is brushed back straight from the brow, recalling the