Shogun 144

In part because of the bias of the Romans and the Hellenes, and partly because of the rising romanticism in the 19th Century there is many misconceptions about the Celts. In particular about the Druids, the practice of head-hunting, and about Celtic warfare. In this article we will look at some of the more well-known myths, and the truth behind them. MYTH ONE: Celts went into battle bright blue and naked Without a doubt the most famous misconception of all is the belief that those Celts who could not afford armor went into battle naked, tattooed bright blue. In truth, the practice of the blue tattoos had died out by the time of 0 AD and was only practiced by the Brythonic Celts and Picts. As for going into battle naked, that practice was special to mercenary bands and religious groups like the Gaesatae. The purpose of which was to be closer to nature and the myriad deities they devoted themselves too. Most Celts went into battle with clothes and some rudimentary armor. Full armor, such as chain-mail, was reserved for the nobility and their retainers. The issue of how widespread the helmet was is a separate issue, and not easy to answer. MYTH TWO: Celts were bloodthirsty and constantly at war When writing of the Celts the Roman historians called them bloodthirsty savages, constantly at war. In truth the Celts were not bloodthirsty or at war all the time. But the Celts did fight amongst themselves quite often. This was however confined to cattle raiding and other forms of minor fighting, like honor duels and blood feuds between clans. Full-scale war did occur, but not any more or any less frequent for any other people in the ancient world. MYTH THREE: Celts were barbarians Sadly when most people think of the Celts they think of them as a barbaric horde, and that Rome was doing them a favor by bringing 'good Roman culture'. This was exactly what many Roman historians were aiming to do. Because of their view of the world, the Romans and Hellenes considered those outside their 'world' to be barbarians and beneath contempt. In truth, the Celts were most certainly not barbarians. While their records are scarce and not well understood today, we know that the Celts created a strong vibrant culture, and an identity separate of all of their neighbors. Despite the somewhat nebulous nature of Celtic civilization, it did exist, and was quite advanced. In some areas, the Celts were on par with Rome and Hellas. It is important here to note the ancient understanding of the word 'barbarian' was different from the modern understanding. To the Hellenes, a barbarian was one did not speak a Greek language. To the Romans a barbarian was one who did not live by the standards of Roman or Hellene civilization. While they viewed the Celts as barbarians according to their worldview, the modern view of the Celts as barbarians is incorrect. MYTH FOUR: Women warriors This is a complicated misconception, partly because there is truth to it, and it is hard to discern the stories from reality. Within Celtic society, women were given a great deal of freedom, and there was nothing stopping them from going into battle with the men folk if they wished. The problem is the practice was not widespread. The fact women were fighting in the Celtic armies is undeniable, but apart from a few extraordinary instances (like the defense of Ynys Mon in Wales) women warriors are the stuff of hero legends (such as in the Gaelic legends of Cu Chulainn). MYTH FIVE: Celtic warfare A great deal has been written about the manner in which warfare was conducted by the Celts, which would be well outside the purposes of this article. Instead we will cover some well-known misconceptions about Celtic warfare. First and best known was the belief that Celts fought as a disorganized mob. This myth is borne out of the differences in the Helleno-Roman and Celtic approach to warfare and battle. In general, the former stressed the cohesion and discipline of the whole formation, relying on the ‘group’. The latter focused on the skill, prowess, and training of the individual, or a small formation. Heroic culture was much of the inspiration for this. It is important to stress here the Celts were not incapable of formation warfare, indeed the Romans learned many of their tactics from the Celts, but they did not place as great an importance on it. A second myth we shall tackle is about the quality of Celtic weapons. Contrary to popular belief, the Celts were masterful weapon makers, and surviving battle paraphernalia is highly prized. This is especially true of swords, which could be of a very fine quality if made for a noble. The Romans sometimes mocked Celtic swords, but only because the Celts used their swords differently then Rome. Whereas the Romans used their swords for thrusting and slashing, the Celts used theirs more like a cudgel. MYTH SIX: Druids There are several famous misconceptions about the Druids. First, we will examine the myth of the Druids building Stonehenge. In truth, Stonehenge had been built and abandoned by whomever created it long before the arrival of the Celts around 500 BC. However, the Druids may have used Stonehenge for their own purposes, which is another matter. Other myths about this group will be addressed by listing what the Druids actually were. The Druids of the Celtic world were their culture’s educators, scholars, healers (and doctors of varying kinds), poets, and occasionally war leaders. MYTH SEVEN: Human Sacrifice Many Roman historians, most famously Caesar and Didorus Siculus, asserted the Celts practiced human sacrifice. Even today, the controversy still rages on the matter. However for this article we will assume it is a myth. There is simply not enough archeological evidence either way. It must be stated however that much was once thought to support the theory of Celtic human sacrifice is just artifacts of the head cult (addressed below) or criminals. MYTH EIGHT: Rituals A good deal of misconceptions arise over the rituals of the Celts, mostly because our primary source on them, the Romans, did not understand the Druids. Samain, modern Samhain, probably is the worst distorted of all. Perhaps the biggest misconception is that Samain is the Celtic New Year, it just marked the end of the harvest season. Other myths, such as Samain marking the first frost, or the festival was a celebration of the dead, are inventions of either Halloween tradition or modern neopaganism. In truth, we do not know a lot about Druidic festivals or rituals. MYTH NINE: Headhunters The Celtic head cult has garnered much attention over the years, probably due to the neopagan movement. The fact the head cult existed is not debated, the details are another matter. In short what we do know about the head cult is the Celts esteemed the head over all other body parts, believing it to be the center of power. Taking an opponents' head after a battle was a normal ritual. From the archeological evidence these heads were taken home and displayed, probably to demonstrate a man's prowess in combat. Beyond that little can be said with surety on this mysterious aspect of Celtic religion. MYTH TEN: Celtic ships were flimsy This is a modern misconception and one that is easily refuted. While not much is known of the ship building skills of the Celts we do know that their vessels were fashioned from strong wood, and reinforced with iron belts much like a wooden barrel (a Celtic invention most likely). We also know that the Celts built their ships big; Caesar himself notes this in his campaign against the Venetii. MYTH ELEVEN: Horned Helmets Much like the myth of women warriors (see above) this is a complicated misconception, but one nevertheless. Traditionally horned helmets have been considered to be merely ceremonial. However we know from the ancient historians that some Celts did wear horned helmets, and some wore even more extravagant headgear. Such as the famous helmet unearthed in modern Romania with a metal raven fixed to the top. This has led to the increasingly popular position that the horned helmet was ceremonial, but some of the more religious Celts or tribes (most notably the Carnutes) did choose to wear it. However, the horned helmet had likely died off as a popular piece of battle-gear by the late 3rd Century BC at the earliest. MYTH TWELVE: All Celts used chariots in battle This misconception falls into the same category as the one about blue tattoos. In other words by the time of 0 AD the practice had died out amongst the Celts in Europe, but remained intact in the British Isles, where it was used to great effect against the Romans by both the Brythonic and the Goidelic Celts. Celtic mastery of the chariot was impressive (as recorded by the ancient authors), and the Romans respected and feared the chariot warriors, who were undoubtedly the elite. MYTH THRITEEN: All Celts limed up their hair and became bald Much like the myth about the flimsy ships the myth about the limed up hair is a recent invention. In truth the practice was not at all wide spread, many warriors did use lime to spike their hair and make them more intimidating, but was not used widely. It was a personal choice, or part of a religious vow. As for lime making one bald, using lime once was not enough to make a warrior bald, using it repeatedly was what did that. Some forms of Celtic soap were also used in the spiking/balding process. The ingredients are still a mystery, even though theories abound. MYTH FOURTEEN: Celts and Bagpipes Another modern myth about the Celts is that they used bagpipes, both in battle and in peacetime. In truth there is no mention of bagpipes in the British Isles at all until the 8th Century AD, and not solidly until the 12th. The harp was the preferred musical instrument of the Celts. Evidence of this can be found in surviving Celtic hero poetry and in the epic cycles of Ireland. MYTH FIFTEEN: Celtic Kilts This misconception is a more of a product of Scot-Irish (or Gaelic) nationalism then a normal misconception. They assert, based any number of things, that the ancient Celts wore kilts. This is utter nonsense, the earliest kilt, the "Great Wrap" did not appear until the 16th Century. The Goidelic Celts may have used the leine and brat, a loose tunic and mantle used by the Irish, in 0 AD's period, but this is not certain, although possible. MYTH SIXTEEN: Celtic Artwork Perhaps one of the most enduring legacies of the Celts today is their artwork. To be precise the Celtic Knot. Unfortunately part of Celtic art's appeal is that today we just do not know a lot about its past. Nothing can be said with certainty before 450 AD, when Celtic Christian artwork first appeared. However, we can say that the ancient Celts did use knot work, just what form it took is unknown. MYTH SEVENTEEN: Celtic Roads There are many myths about Celtic roads, perhaps the most widespread being that Celtic roads were poor or just dirt paths. This is incorrect the Celts did build roads, and possibly started building them even earlier then Rome (the archeology is unclear). Celtic roads were built of wood and other materials, using a sophisticated system of planks and runners. In the later phases of Celtic history, they even used stone. Julius Caesar in his De Bello Gallico speaks highly of the Celtic road system, and admitted the speed of his advance was owed to the far spread and excellence of the roads in Gaul. MYTH EIGHTEEN: Celtic Height A very common misconception exists about the height difference between the Hellenes and Romans on the one hand, and the Celts on the other. Archeological findings have discovered that there was no great height difference between the Celts and their more ‘civilized’ enemies in Hellas and Rome. This has led to some confusion, as both Hellene and Roman writers frequently commented on the great height of the Celts. It could be the Celts simply seemed that much bigger due to the other factors. Possibly these writers were referring to certain extraordinarily tall exceptions that had been mistaken for the general height of Celtic warriors. MYTH NINETEEN: Celtic Writing Until fairly recently it had been taken as fact that the Celts left no written records whatsoever. However, recent advances have not only uncovered examples of Celtic writing, especially the Gaulish dialect, but also have allowed us to decipher it to an extent. While no historical writings have been discovered, if they exist at all, existing examples of Celtic writing have significantly added to our understanding. While no full alphabet has been uncovered in any of the known scripts used (for Gaulish: Etruscan, Greek, and Latin) it is now a misconception to say the Celts lacked writing. MYTH TWENTY: The Celts lacked hygiene of any kind Another common myth is the idea the Celts lacked hygiene or did not value cleanliness. This is not true and in fact the Celts were quite health conscious. While under dispute, it is generally accepted the Celts did in fact invent soap, which was varied in quality, composition, and usage. Three types we know of definitely are bar soap, a greasy compound, and head soap. The difference between the three is the lye content of the soap, which the Celts extracted from the fats they used in the soap making process. In addition, archeology as unearthed evidence the Celts may have discovered how to make artificial hot baths before the Romans brought their own hot water systems into Celtic lands. Undoubtedly, the Celts use did natural baths and hot water springs, but the discovery is still important. The Germanic cultures neighboring the Gallic and Belgic Celts apparently learned much of this, and in fact the Romans held the soap of Germania in higher regard then that of Gaul due to the much higher concentration of fat (and hence lye) in German soap. In conclusion we have touched on only a few of the myriad misconceptions that surround the Celts. However it is the firm belief of the author that in the end these misconceptions will fall away. Because when you get down to it fact is always more fascinating then myth.

Well folks as of today I am now officialy out of my teens and am now an young adult. Well that is officially, unofficialy I intend to act like a 14 year old for a while longer.... Just Kidding Seriously though this is a big day for me, turning the big two-oh is a major turning point of my life, one that so far has been great. I mean it was not long ago that I just got published for the first time, and I am still walking on air over that... And I plan sending many more for publication to AG. I got a new video card as my birthday present from my Mom and Dad, which means I can play the SupCom demo now. Not to mention as much better my other games are playing. I bought a Star Wars book, the new one on Darth Bane, and my parents paid for it as a second present. Aren't they sweet? Over all I have spent a lot of today in serious thought, I mean twenty is supposed to be a big year. Well I am going to have to see what the Lord has in store for me. But for all let's boogie!

Okay I have some great news. Ever since I graduated, and seriously since the new year, I have begun to branch out and look for some places that I can write for and get published on that site, possibly paid for it. Well I have achieved that goal today. Most of my time in January was taken up in the writing of an article about the Battle of Tannenburg in 1410. I submitted it to the website of the historical magazine Armchair General. Early this month I got a reply back from AG saying that they liked my article and offered me money for my submission. Today that article is now up on the main page of Armchair General's homepage, I hope to soon be able to achieve my life long dream of being published in print through that magazine. This is a great day for me and I wished to share with you all, my friends on Wildfire Games. It was because of this team that I started writing in the first place, and I know that without the experience of being here I would not have come this far. Here is the link: Tannenburg Joshua

Wow thanks alot a Paul. I already submitted it to Samurai Archives and Military History Archives but have yet to receive a reply. You dream to visit Sekigahara too? Oh man that is my dream too, to visit the battlefield where Tokugawa won Japan.... Ah man that would awesome.

Hello and welcome to Joshua's obscure conflicts of history class. Today I will put up for you see an article I hope to submit to Military History Archive and Samuari Archives. Remember you saw it here first! Now pay attention and no throwing spit wads in class! The Onin War (Onin no Ran) By Joshua Gilbert The Onin War was the catalyst that sparked the century long period of Japanese history known as the Sengoku Jidai, the "Age of the Country at War". What was originally a dispute between a father and his son-in-law became an eleven year war that trashed the once great city of Kyoto and sparked an era of bloodshed that is famous to this day. The Onin War began because of the weakness of a Shogun. In 1464 Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th member of the Ashikaga clan to hold the title Seii-Taishogun, a man renowned for his focus on tea party and poetry wanted to retire, but had no son. He decided to instead make his younger brother, Yoshimi, his heir. However Yoshimi was a Buddhist monk, so the Shogun had to first drag his brother of the monastery to make him his heir. One year later in 1465 the wife of Yoshimasa, Tomiko, bore him a son at last. Overjoyed the Shogun made his infant son, Yoshihisa, his heir instead. This was the leading cause of the war to come. At the time two powerful men in Kyoto, the capital at the time, were in the midst of a feud. On one side there was Yamana Sozen, a Buddhist monk who was famous for turning red when he got angry, which was often (hence his nickname Red Monk). On the other was his son-in-law Hosokawa Katsumoto, one of the Three Butlers of the Ashikaga clan (the other two were the Shiba and Hatakeyama clans). These two men had been engaged in a feud since the 1450s when they had meddled in the succession disputes of the Hatakeyama and Shiba families. Now they had another dispute in which to outmaneuver each other, this time involving the highest office in Japan. Sozen acted first by declaring his backing for the infant Yoshihisa. Katsumoto then threw his backing behind the Shogun's brother Yoshimi. Both men called for support from family relations and vassals, and before long the entire capital district of Yamashiro was nearly clogged with Yamana and Hosokawa supporters. The armies numbered 80,000 and 85,000 respectively, the largest yet seen in Japanese history. Yet both men were also reluctant to dive into a war. In 1467 Yamana Sozen called in the powerful warlord Ouchi Masahiro with another 20,000 troops. Then in February a Hosokawa mansion "mysteriously" went up in flames. The war was on. The Onin War, so called because it occurred in the regnal year Onin 1, had begun. The Hosokawa retaliated for the destruction of their mansion in April when some samurai loyal to them attacked a Yamana rice shipment. In May rumors abounded that Yamana Sozen was going to attack the Imperial Palace. Hosokawa Katsumoto decided to act regardless of the truthfulness of the rumors and had Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, Retired Emperor Go-Hanazono, and the entire Imperial family moved out of the Palace and to the headquarters of the Shogunate in Muromachi District. As it turned out Hosokawa had done right, for Yamana did launch an attack on the Imperial Palace. At the end of the month Hosokawa supporters burned the mansion of Yamana general Isshiki, not to mention the entire block, to the ground. The Yamana counterattack was fierce, and the war, so far just a series of raid and counterraid, intensified into a full-fledged war in the streets. By July the fighting was so devastating that all of northern Kyoto was in ruins and the remainder of the city resembled the battlefields of the First World War. The battle for Shokokuji in October, in which Yamana Sozen himself led an attack on the Hosokawa positions inside a Buddhist monastery, exemplified the carnage (eight carts of enemy heads were filled). By September everyone who could abandon the city did so, even while more reinforcements for the warring factions flowed in. By early 1468 a calm came over Kyoto as both sides rested and glared at each other from across the trenches. Hosokawa resumed hostilities when he brought in trebuchets and used them to fling rocks and exploding bombs into Yamana territory. Sometime later Hosokawa Katsumoto was able to score a major political coup when he convinced both Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa and the Emperor to denounce the Yamana as rebels. With the official backing of both Shogun and Emperor the Hosokawa now held the moral high ground in the conflict, any who supported Yamana Sozen did so at the danger of being declared a traitor to the Emperor. At first Yamana Sozen treated his branding with indifference, he had the support of such men as Ouchi Masahiro and several great clans. Plus he could always get the ruling changed later. Carnage and destruction continued for several years without any sign of letting up, even the deaths of Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sozen had little effect on the war. What had started as a personal spat had spiraled beyond all control. In 1475 Ashikaga Yoshimasa, previously caught up in his little world of poetry and tea, asserted some authority and began to order the various daimyo (feudal lords), on both sides, out of Kyoto. Many daimyo obeyed the Shogun and began to disengage. However the fighting would continue until 1477, as some stubbornly refused to give up. Ouchi Masahiro, the great champion of Ashikaga Yoshihisa's cause, finally brought the war to a close when he too finally agreed to the Shogun's will and left for home in Yamaguchi. As one last act of defiance he burned his section of Kyoto, the last one reasonably intact, to the ground as he left, blaming it on his common soldiers later. With the pull out of the Ouchi and their vassals from the conflict the eleven year long Onin War ended, not because one side achieved victory, but because both sides simply did not have the strength to continue anymore. In the aftermath of the war much happened. After the last soldiers left Kyoto mobs descended on the city, it would be several years before peace was restored. Ashikaga Yoshimasa did little to help as he slid once more back into his private world. The chaos in Kyoto had a much larger effect then anyone could have expected as the fires of war spread into the countryside. Villages banded together under the Ji-Samurai (lesser samurai with common roots), forming armed bands called Ikki which soon mutated from mobs of peasants into disciplined armies. The rise of the Ikki and the continued chaos in Yamashiro (the Hatakeyama clan tore the province apart in a family feud) would soon prove to be just the beginning of one Japan's bloodiest periods. The century long Sengoku Jidai had begun.

Personally I think the whole thing is a bogus descison if you ask me. Pluto is still a planet no matter what the IAU chooses the call it. If you ask me I think they are over complicating Space.

Today is a special day for me... a day of change... The day that I start a new chapter in my earthly life... TODAY I GRADUATE!!! HEHE!!! Yes today I offically graduate from High School! I have had my small graduation ceremony and pizza party (complete with plentiful coke-cola!), and I have just been presented with my custom diploma and tassel! HHHOO! Technically I have been graduated since August 19th, 11:35 AM but it was not until today that I have had a real ceremony and party. YEAHHHH! :banana:

Alright everyone I am back! I got back yesterday, but I was pretty tired and it was late. I had wonderful time down south, got to shop at my favorite stores and eat out at my favorite restraunts. Though my Dad nearly embrassed me in one restraunt with his horrible off key catawauling (he does it on purpose, he can sing). For Presents I got: The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History Star Wars: Republic Commando, Hard Contact Austerlitz: Napoleon's Greatest Victory Age of Empires III and Civ IV

Yep you heard it right today is my birthday today! My 19th birthday and in celebration my parents are taking me to Bay City for the weekend, starting today! WWWWHHHHOOOO!!!

Well I really can't choose. You see my family is a very big mix of Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Native American, and Norman. I guess I will choose Celtic.

Hey Everyone, A couple of weeks ago I wrote a biography of Japan's first Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and submitted it to the premier Samurai history site: Samurai Archives. It has been accepted and posted on the site! See it here: Minamoto no Yoritomo Tell me what you think.

I'm reading "The Warrior" by Francine Rivers, it is an awesome historical novel.

Wow! Congrats Steve and Jordan! Getting a book published is a major accomplishment, great job!

Hey everybody I am asking for prayers for my family friend Dennis Borden. He is very close to me and a surrogute Grandpa, his wife passed away last night and he needs all the comfort and love he can get.

Well Paul my book is 960 pages long. BIG BOOK!!! As for special stuff, that comes Saturday, so my Dad can be there to see it.

Hey everyone I am now 18 years old! WOW! My Mom and Dad got me a REALLY neat main present: James Ussher's Annals of the World A serious history book for the serious historian (that me!) When Saturday comes around my parents are taking me for shopping spree at this one mall, I have alot of money to spend. YEAH! I also got a cut-out and make-it-yourself Roman Helmet, something I never been able to make otherwise (and I am really creative) BIRTHDAY!!!! YEAH!!!

Oh........ I did not do the drawing! that was Mythos_Ruler. I have no problem if you use some of my work, it is a honor,........... in a wierd way.

Hi History Guy! I was the one that wrote the Greek Architecture article. I am afriad that I do not understand what you mean by architectural pointers. Can you explain? I will try my best to assist you.

Well Tim that is quite a difficult assignment you have got there, I think I can help you. Well I would suggest the following sources: http://www.geocities.com/muntzer2/thesis.html This one looks good http://www.rootsweb.com/~wggerman/map/germantribes.htm This one is a map http://users.tyenet.com/kozlich/germhist.htm the section on the migrations is short but I decided to post this link anyway http://www.cast.uark.edu/student_pubs/david_holt/ This one presents a good theroy on why the Germanic tribes moved in the first place And lastly I have a old link lying around a online version of "The Origin and Deeds of the Goths" by Jordanes for some help in that area *sounds of some one rumaging through thier link closet is heard* EUREKA Here it is http://www.corvalliscommunitypages.com/Eur...oths.htm#united Hope this helps, Joshua

Thanks for the link Akya, it is very helpful.

Okay I need some help here with finding a good website for infomation on Ancient Greece, I need a good source that covers the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenic periods. I would perfer a overview or summary if at all possible.

The Battle of Hastings and its aftermath, mostly because my ancestors from two branches of my mom's side of the family were at Hastings. I would have liked to see them in action, not to mention being able to see William the Conqueror himself.

Yep Today is my Birthday. I am now 17 years old.

Well my parents like what I am doing and like hearing about the team every day. The same goes for my older sister, Shannon when she comes up to the house.

Well Zezar Insurrection was cancelled due to legal problems with Hasbro