Slitherine

Just out of curiousity, how is it that the Galatians get to be 100% Superior Impact Foot, while their close cousins the Gauls appear to be given the short shrift (and the poor old Franks, Goths, Vandals and whatnot, get not a sniff of a superior infantryman)?

I wasn't aware that the Galatian battlefield performance noticeably outstripped that of the Gauls (quite the reverse, I thought, when you consider all the Roman armies that got walked over) - but then my knowledge of Galatian battles leave a lot to be desired, I'll freely admit.

It may have to do with their reputation. Until the Seleucids defeated them at the "Elephant Victory" of 273 b.c. they terrorized their neighbors and were greatly feared.

The Galations came from a branch of the Gauls that migrated that way, I can't remember the details and don't have the book with me. I believe they were from the Boi, and some other tribes. The Boi were very warlike and their name means something like warrior. They moved across North Italy and were involved in some of the big victories over the Romans before invading Greece and eventually settling in Glatia, and softening up. Thus I believe that they are only allowed to be Sup in the earlier years of the list.......haven't checked though.

Essentially I believe this is the case but I am very rusty on all this and may well have the details wrong.

Will

Thanks, I'm aware of the genesis of the Galatians, and yes, after 69BC they are downgraded to average.

But, to say that they were greatly feared and terrorised their neighbours, is also to describe the Gauls up until ... I forget the exact battle. The Romans certainly went in fear of them for long enough, yet ... just average warriors, aren't they?

firefalluk wrote:Just out of curiousity, how is it that the Galatians get to be 100% Superior Impact Foot, while their close cousins the Gauls appear to be given the short shrift (and the poor old Franks, Goths, Vandals and whatnot, get not a sniff of a superior infantryman)?

I wasn't aware that the Galatian battlefield performance noticeably outstripped that of the Gauls (quite the reverse, I thought, when you consider all the Roman armies that got walked over) - but then my knowledge of Galatian battles leave a lot to be desired, I'll freely admit.

I think it's the couple of hundred years unbeaten streak and the old fighting nekkid thing. Of course, that may be more a reflection on their opponents than the Galatians. Gauls do have some similar troops - the Gaesati being similar for example. I suspect there might have been a good case for making the Brennus era Gauls equivalent to early Galatians.

Thanks, GB - that's pretty much where I had worked myself to, also.

Now to find out how to use Light Chariots effectively ..