\"Celtic\" military technology and the Romans

[MagnusStultus]

I would argue that the hoplite/legionary class is too large to have a parallel with feudal nobility, and isn't wealthy or powerful enough in society to.

To use the example of the legionary because every single Greek Polis had different laws so hoplite generalization wouldn't be too accurate the wealth requirement of 11,000 ases before Cannae reduced to 4,000 ases afterwards in order to find conscripts would have much more in common with middle class then nobility considering as late as Augustus the property requirement to be an equestrian was 100,000 denarii.

The ideology as well as class was also too different for comparison; the feudal noblemen just owed fealty to his liege and followed where he led; the citizen voted and had an opportunity to speak against something he objected to and whatever side he took fought the way the popular assembly voted.

It's true that the larger size of the middle class means that each citizen individually had less wealth and power than a big man or aristocrat. However, I still think the basic parallel holds: The people with political power, of greater or lesser degree, and with a certain minimum of wealth, are the ones obligated to participate in war. Aristocrats may not necessarily straight-up vote in a feudal system, but due to their personal wealth and retinue, they're still usually in a position to influence their liege's decision in one way or another -- at least, I'm pretty sure that's the case far more commonly than an absolute monarchy.

I agree there is some comparison and unless it is an absolute monarchy the nobleman had influence outside the law a standard roman voter didn't have despite his higher amount of rights; but I think we agree the comparison is limited by the middle instead of 1st class status of the legionary/hoplite.

As far as technological influence I think the most important piece of evidence of influence is visual; if the thought of Gaul's inventing mail was wrong then we would be able to see that Roman mail doesn't resemble it however

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...eres_2.jpg

Gallic

http://www.sheshen-eceni.co.uk/images/ro...%20med.JPG

Roman



The limit of stating Gauls use the extra flaps Romans use the extra flaps is I have also found plenty of Roman Soldiers without the flaps; but the primary source does show Romans thought Gaul's invented it so the evidence is taking from Gaul's.

I also wonder about this one sometimes

http://www.harbornet.com/folks/theedrich...aelius.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2240/23027...0e3cd6.jpg

Those do not look like pteruges to me, is there any other evidence for Romans using mail to cover places plates couldn't?

Please correct me if I am way off; I partly post to learn if my conclusions/opinions on one side or another is right or wrong.