Description
Celtic warriors were ideally equipped to hack through even heavily-armoured foes. Their axes took one of two forms: one-handed axes were typical, and the most practical, but two-handed axes were also used. In comparison to swords, axes were cheap to make, and were effective against chainmail, as a blow could still shatter bone and crush the organs beneath the armour. They could also be used to pull aside shields, or hack them apart. Like other Celtic warriors, the lightly-armoured, one-handed axemen relied on their own shields for defence. There was a long tradition, perhaps dating as far back as the Stone Age, of veneration for axes and hammers in Celtic cultures. Although both were associated with strength, axes in particular were used as grave goods and even depicted on coins celebrating victories in the Gallic Wars of 58-50BC.
