Unit Browser for RTR: Imperium Surrectum

Short description

A terrifying mobile unit that uses speed and missile attack to throw an enemy off balance.

Description

The heavy chariot crew does not hesitate to engage in melee if so commanded, as they carry reckless and dangerous warriors into battle, flinging javelins and bringing their swords down on any that are too near. Their tenacity provides excellent offensive ability against slow moving enemies as they can hit and run with ease, while their target cannot hope to outrun nor out maneuver them. The chilling sound of chariots driving across the battlefield, scaring the enemy and affecting their morale, is well attested by Caesar. These charioteers consist of Britons possessing the woad markings to further shock the enemy, as this practice is usually seen only in Britain. An exception is with the warriors of the Pictones tribes who are beside the great ocean in Gaul. They are also known to use their painted bodies in battle alongside the Arverni, in the same manner as the Britons do with the Belgae.

Celtic chariots are very light and very fast, being made almost entirely of wood. The main metal components that a chariot would have been bolts and metal plates fastening certain areas together. Metal sheeting sometimes covered the part of the wheel that contacts the ground, but many others have been discovered with only bare wood. In comparison to eastern chariots, such as early Egyptian and Syrian, whose carriage could be light enough to be carried by one man, the Celtic chariots were a bit heavier and sturdier. However, in comparison to the heavily armoured types of Pontus and the Seleucids, the Celtic chariots would likely be much faster initially, much more manoeuvrable due to it's lightweight and overall construction. Celtic chariots were open in the front of the chariot behind the horses, as well as behind, thus having only two sides. Eastern chariots would usually have had only the rear of the chariot open. The construction of the Celtic chariots would have allowed the crew to perform acrobatic feats while it was moving at high speed, something even Caesar noted their riders doing.

Chariots would be the possession of the more important figures of Celtic society in Britain, Ireland, as well as the continental tribes. Caesar wrote that many Celts used the chariot to travel to the battle. Against cavalry, the warriors would remain inside the chariot to fight, but against infantry, the warrior would dismount and fight on foot. While the fighting raged at a distance, the chariot's driver would usually remain at the side of the chariot and rush to the aid of the warrior if he was hurt and deliver him from further injury. Caesar noted that Britain chariot tactics involved speeding all over the battlefield throwing javelins at the enemy. The horses and the sounds the wheels and chariot made were often sufficient to throw the enemies ranks into disarray and disorder. By daily training the charioteers can maintain complete control, even on steep hills, to turn at a moment and control the horses at full speed.

In Celtic chariot burials, it would typically be the greatest warriors, nobles, and or kings, would be buried with a chariot. The crews of the heavy charioteer wear the famous Battersea helmet, found in the river Thames. The horned horse mask was found in Northern Britain and dates to the 2nd century B.C. It is made out of bronze and could have been parade armour of some kind for the horse or pony that would have worn it. Celtic chariot burials have been found all over Europe but also in the Carpathian Basin and in Tylis, between Macedonia and Thrace.