Chapter Four -SLINGSThe use of slings is attested from southern Britain, Brittany, and for example at Ie
Puy du Tour (Correze) (Ralston 1992: 52), but it is a custom that may be difficult to
recognize in the archaeological record. The defence of Maiden Castle (Dorset) and
Danebury (Hampshire) was in part undertaken by slingers (Cunliffe 1991: 489). Piles
of sling stones made ready for use at Maiden Castle were found to have been chosen
to be broadly the same weight (50 grams). Less organized use of material hurled at
the enemy is recorded from Gaul where Caesar describes an incident in the course
of which a Gaul who was throwing lumps of tallow and pitch was killed by an arrow
from a catapult. During one siege the Gauls began slinging (j'undis iacere) moulded
bullets of red-hot slag and hurling incendiary darts (Caesar, De Bello Gallico VII.25).
ARCHERYArchery too played a part in Celtic life, Strabo recording that some Celts 'also use
bows and slings', and during sacrifices 'they used to shoot men down with arrows'
(Strabo, Geography IV. 4.3, 4.5). Vercingetorix, during his war against Caesar, ordered
all the archers, and there was a very large number in Gaul, to be sought out and
brought to him. The cavalry was sent out daily with archers dispersed among their
ranks to help them if they were yielding and to check the enemy's advance (Caesar,
De Bello Gallico VII.31,36,80). Arrowheads have been found among other locations
at Alesia (Duval 1970), Gournay and Manching (Sievers 1989: 101).CELTS IN BATTLE
Classical authors, in creating a picture of contrasts between the Celts and their own
audiences, told stories of noise, of naked combat and of head-taking. Such accounts
still have an important role in our understanding of the way in which the warrior
bands of the third century were to make such an impact on the mythology and art
of subsequent centuries. The two largest Gallic tribes in north Italy, the Insubres and
the Boii, persuaded the Gaesatae who lived beyond the Alps and near the Rhone to
join them in attacking Rome. The combined armies, which are said to have consisted
of some 50,000 infantry and 20,000 cavalry and chariots, marched south in high
spirits and advanced on Etruria. In Rome the people were filled with dread, for they
had heard rumours of the approach of the Gauls; the old fear of the Gallic uprising
and invasion had not yet been dispelled. The feelings of humiliation and terror
inspired by the Gallic warriors lingered on. Each time they approached, it is said, the
Roman authorities suspended municipal business and enrolled an army.
The historian Polybius gives a full account of the Celts in action at the battle of
Telamon (225 Be), and it is worth quoting certain passages which highlight recurring
features of Celtic customs and manoeuvres (Histories 11.28). It is sometimes said
that the charge was the centrepiece of Celtic offensive tactics, in which they relied
on unbounded fury, strength and dexterity. The charge succeeded because of the