Celtic/Germanic Tribes
(Legion XXII as Celts at Ft. Lafe, AR 2008)Another impression that we do for some events that of a 1st century AD Celtic or Germanic “Barbarian”. The German tribe varies depending of the specific event, but the unit always represents the Durotriges for the Celts. The Durotriges was a group of Celts that lived in south western England. When Claudius invaded England it was the Durotriges who were strongly opposed to the Roman invasion.
In Northeastern Arkansas, one of our sister legions has built and entire Roman frontier fort and holds a full on combat event each year. Ft. Lafe is one of the events that the unit sometimes goes as Celts from the Durotriges. There is no one set kit design for this impression. The only guidelines is that the clothing be made of wool, follow a basic patter in the style of clothing, and stick to the unit specified colors of clothing. For this impression everyone can do a civilian and soldier impression in one simple kit.
Several of the nations were iron poor so not a lot of soldiers would be wearing armor or helmets. In fact, some Celts believed it was dishonorable to wear armor into battle. In several cases the Celts would sacrifice armor and weapons to the local deities (generally throwing them into the river or lake).
The average Celtic warrior had a wooden shield of sorts and a simple spear or hasta. The rest of the impression contains a simple woolen shirt (short or long sleeve), pants, some kind of leather belt, a knife, a large wool cloak, a clasp for the cloak, and some for of footwear (bog shoes). For weapons, an average warrior would just need a shield and spear.
For more information on Celtic tribes checkout the links below. As for the Germanic tribe information please contact the unit.
Roman-Britania is a great resource on the many different tribes in Britain, and where they were located.
http://www.roman-britain.org/main.htm
Gallica is a good website to research on how to make the different types of clothing. Fallow the links for more information. If you still can not find what you are looking for please contact the unit.
http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/clothing2.htm
Belgae was another tribe that existed in Britain in the first century. This is a like to a local group based out of Cincinnati OH. The down side is that it is hard to contact their group leader Nate Bell. LEGXXII PR and the Belgae are close friends and allies, and help each other out at several events. If you are having trouble contacting this group please contact our unit.
http://www.gallicobelgae.org/
(Legion XXII as a Celtic tribe at Ft. Lafe)
