GT25's Historical Series: Celtic Warrior vs. Assyrian Soldier

Hello, and welcome to the Historical Series. In this series, we will take warriors from across the world and throughout history and mythology and analyze their weapons, armor, and x-factors to see who would win in a hypothetical battle. For this installment, we have two Iron Age chariot warriors from different regions of the world with the Celtic Warrior and the Assyrian Soldier. For this installment, we will take the Celtic Warrior from the year 400 BCE and the Assyrian Soldier from the year 734 BCE. Since the history of these two is rather vague compared to most, I will provide a brief summary of their role in history for the uninformed.

History of the Warriors

While their exact origins are unknown, the Celts were a group of people who lived in a warlike tribal society in Western and Central Europe by the time of the Early Iron Age in Europe. Working with this new metal thanks to being iron workers, the Celtic Warriors would use their new iron weaponry and armor to conquer much of the continent by 500 BCE which would help lead it into the La Tène culture. Despite not being united by a single empire, the Celts would spread their culture across Europe and become one of the most advanced cultures of its time. By the year 386 BCE, many Celtic tribes were led into Italy and would sack Rome before the Romans would repel them. By this time, the early Romans would adopt the weapons and armor of the Celts and would consider them one of the few 'barbarians' to present a challenge to their invasions. Despite the Celts on the continent being eventually conquered by the Romans, the tribes in Britain would halt their advance with the influence of the Celts helping to form the beginnings of the modern European states after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Upon Adad-nirari II succeeding his father in 911 BCE and taking control of the weakened Assyrian Empire, the king would begin campaigns to make the empire a great power once again. Now known as the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the empire would conquer many groups and empires to gain land with this being possible thanks to the Assyrian Soldiers. Under their kings, the soldiers would continue on campaigns against other groups until they hit a stagnation in 783 BCE. This stagnation would end in 745 BCE when Tiglath-Pileser III would ascend to the throne and make changes to the army. This would start a standing army for the empire which would include a large number of foreign troops though their cavalry and charioteers would be dominated by Assyrian Soldiers. This would allow the soldiers to invade Israel in 738 BCE and would help in the capture of Babylon. However, the empire would start to disintegrate after the death of Ashurbanipal in 627 BCE with brutal and unremitting series of civil wars in Assyria taking place before the empire would fall eighteen years later.

Close Range

Long Sword (Celtic Warrior): The Long Sword used by the Celts are a type of straight sword which are primarily slashing weapons with some swords having a blade tip that could thrust as well. An example of this sword has a 28.75 inch iron blade with a total length of 34.75 inches and weighs 2 pounds.

Sappara (Assyrian Soldier): The Sappara is a sickle sword that is primarily a slashing weapon and one of many types of sickle swords used in Mesopotamia and North Africa. An example of this sword has a 16.4 inch iron blade with a total length of 21.38 inches and weighs 1.95 pounds.

Verdict: The Long Sword gets the edge. The Sappara can only perform slashing strikes while the Long Sword does have examples which could both thrust as well as slash. In addition, it has a longer blade by 12.35 inches which gives the user a reach advantage.

Medium Range

Lancea (Celtic Warrior): The Lancea is a spear that has a spear head with a wavy pattern that can be used as both a regular spear and a javelin. This spear has a length of 7 feet, or 84 inches, and weighs 4.72 pounds.

Assyrian Spear (Assyrian Soldier): The Assyrian Spear is a spear that is very similar to the Egyptian Spears but had a broad spear head made of iron instead of bronze. This spear has a length of 5 feet, or 60 inches, and weighs 3.15 pounds.

Verdict: The Lancea gets the edge. While the Assyrian Spear is lighter by 1.57 pounds, the Lancea is two feet longer which gives it a reach advantage and the wavy spear head can cause more damage to a foe than the normal broad spear head.

Long Range

Celtic Bow (Celtic Warrior): The Celtic Bow is a type of recurve bow that was used for hunting though some tribes did use them in battle to irritate and soften large enemy forces. This recurve bow has a length of 46 inches and possibly weighs 1.59 pounds.

Composite Bow (Assyrian Soldier): The Composite Bow used by the Assyrians had an unusual triangular shape and had nocking points on the end of it being shaped like duck heads. This bow is said to have a length of 37.5 inches and possibly weighs 1.45 pounds.

Verdict: The Composite Bow gets the edge, but not by much. Both are good bows in their own right and both are powerful enough to reach long distances, but the Assyrians are known more for their bows while most Celtic tribes used the bow for hunting rather than battle.

Special Weapons

Celtic Dagger (Celtic Warrior): The Celtic Dagger is a type of dagger used by the Celts and other cultures which would inspire the Roman Pugio. An example of this type of dagger has a 12 inch iron blade with a total length of 18.75 inches and weighs 15 ounces.

Iron Dagger (Assyrian Soldier): The Iron Dagger used by the Assyrian Soldier is most likely similar to the Scythian Acinaces which was used mostly for slitting throats. It is possible that this dagger has a 7.5 inch iron blade with a total length of 11.1 inches and possibly weighs 7.58 ounces.

Verdict: The Celtic Dagger gets the edge. The dagger has a longer blade by 4.5 inches and the Celtic Dagger is used more like a sidearm while the Iron Dagger is mostly used to slit throats.

Armor

Chainmail, Celtic Helmet, and Wooden Oval Shield (Celtic Warrior): While the armor for the Celts varied greatly, one that was their signature armor was riveted chainmail. This mail hauberk, or shirt, is typically made of iron rings riveted together to provide the user protection from slashing attacks. While it can fail to thrusting attacks, trying to pierce through mail with a thrusting attack isn't an easy task and the wrong type of weapon may even ruin the chances to pierce through it.

In addition, many Celtic tribes made use of iron helmets that are similar to the later Roman Montefortino helmet. This helmet had a conical shape with a round central knob on top with a protruding neck guard at the back and cheek plates connected to the sides of the helmet. This helmet protected the top and sides of the user's head along with partial protection to the back of their neck, but it left the user's face and front of their neck exposed.

Finally, the Celts made use of many shields including a medium sized, oval shaped shield which was perfect for single combat. This wooden shield made use of a wooden central rib held on by an iron umbo with the shield being held by a wooden handle in the center of the shield under the rib.

Iron Lamellar, Iron Conical Helmet, and Wickerwork Shield (Assyrian Soldier): The standard armor for the infantry, the soldiers of the Neo-Assyrian Empire made use of a metal lamellar to protect their torso. This lamellar armor is made of small, rectangular plates made of iron laced together into horizontal rows with it most likely laced to a leather backing. Lamellar armor was typically able to offer protection from slashing attacks and blunt force trauma, but a thrusting attack could break through as the small plates could spread apart if the lacing fails.

Along with this body armor, the soldiers would wear an iron conical helmet to protect their head. This conical helmet was, as stated, made of iron with small iron flaps in front of the ears as a type of side protection. While the helmet was able to protect the top of their head and partially to the sides, the user had their face, part of the sides, and back of their head exposed along with their entire neck.

Finally, the Assyrian Soldiers made use of many shields with the ones being used for infantry being a medium sized, rectangular wickerwork shield. These shields, typically made of reed or willow, weren't as strong as wooden shields, but they were capable of taking a few strikes before breaking and were easier to repair and replace.

Verdict: The Celtic Warrior gets the edge. As I said in Song Soldier vs. English Knight, both the Iron Lamellar and Chainmail can protect the user from slashing attacks and both will fail to thrusting attacks. Since this is standard Chainmail being compared, it does make this comparison a bit more even in this situation. Moving onto helmets, the Celtic Helmet gets the edge since it protects more of the user's head in comparison to the Iron Conical Helmet. Finally, the Wooden Oval Shield gets the edge since both are around the same size and it's more durable than the Wickerwork Shield. So, overall, both are even with body armor with the Celtic Warrior getting the edge with their helmet and shield.

X-Factors

Physicality: The Celtic Warrior gets the edge. The Celtic Warriors were large for their era with them having the strength to cleanly cut through a foe's neck with their sword and wield their weapons with ease. The Assyrian Soldiers were rather average in height for their era with them being able to be in constant motion during battle.

Training: While mostly seen as blacksmiths, the Celtic Warriors had a rigid tribal class system with them being trained for combat both on foot and even for battle on both chariots and horseback. As the empire adopted a standing army, the Assyrian Soldiers would be trained to battle against other armies and even perform sieges against cities.

Ferocity: The Assyrian Soldier gets the edge, but not by much. The Celtic Warriors were very brutal when they battled against an opposing force which included other tribes along with the early Romans and had a reputation as being head hunters. On the other hand, the Assyrian Soldiers would torture impaled captives in front of cities to force them into a surrender and brutally crushed any rebellion that tried to rise against their empire.

Intimidation: The Celtic Warriors were known for their reputation as taking the heads of their foes and would charge straight towards an opposing force in mass with them being fierce in close combat. The Assyrian Soldiers were willing to brutally crush any rebels that rose against their empire and their frontal offensives were designed to shock and surprise the opposing force.

Match Information: This will be a one on one match with the warriors starting on chariots as passengers before fighting on foot.

The Set Up: In an area of flatland, a Celtic chariot is riding through the area to survey it as an Assyrian chariot is searching the area due to some rumors.

BATTLE

In an area of flatland with a few trees spotted around it, a Celtic chariot is riding through the area with it having two men along with a wooden shield and a Lancea on the floor of it. The driver is wearing only trousers with blue tattoos on his chest and arms while his passenger is wearing a tunic and trousers with him having chainmail over his tunic and a iron helmet on his helmet. This man has a Celtic Bow in his hands and has a belt which is holding a Long Sword and a Celtic Dagger in scabbards on his left and right side respectively with a quiver attached to the chariot. These two are Celtic Warriors who are riding through the area ahead of their clan to survey it as a possible settlement.

Just outside of this area, an Assyrian chariot is riding towards it with the chariot having two men along with a Wickerwork Shield and an Assyrian Spear on the floor of it. Both the driver and passenger are wearing tunics and trousers with Iron Lamellar over their tunics and an Iron Helmet on their head. The passenger has a Composite Bow in his hands along with having a belt which has a Sappara and an Iron Dagger in scabbards on his left and right side respectively with a quiver attached to the chariot. These two are Assyrian Soldiers who have been sent to search the area as rumors of another group taking their land had reach the empire.

As the Assyrian chariot enters the area, the Assyrian Soldier and his driver quickly spot the Celtic chariot with the warrior and his driver also spotting them just as easily. Pulling an arrow from the quiver of his chariot, the Assyrian Soldier orders his driver to advance with the horses pulling them forward as he nocks an arrow on the bowstring. At the same time, the Celtic Warrior tells his driver to charge forward and takes an arrow out as their chariot is pulled forward by their horses.

Pulling his bowstring back, the Assyrian Soldier aims his Composite Bow and fires the arrow at his foe as he nocks an arrow onto his own bow. The arrow soars past its target as the Celtic Warrior pulls back the bowstring of his Celtic Bow and lets his arrow fly which strikes his foe. However, the soldier's lamellar armor stops the arrow with one of the plates being barely pierced by the arrowhead. The Assyrian pays it little mind as he nocks another arrow and pulls his bowstring back as he takes aim.

Just as the Celt nocks his own arrow onto his Celtic Bow, the soldier fires his arrow with it hitting the driver of the Celtic chariot in the chest. While it causes him to waver a bit, the driver is able to use the reins to steer his horses out of the way of the other chariot. As the chariot turns with the Assyrians about to pass, the warrior lets his arrow fly and it strikes the driver of his foe's chariot through the side of his neck. This causes the man to collapse to the floor of the chariot and the Assyrian soldier grabs the reins as he slows the chariot down.

The Celtic chariot slows down as well with the driver finally succumbs to his wound and falls backwards dead. Placing his bow down, the Celtic Warrior grabs his shield with his left hand and the Lancea with his right before quickly leaping off the back. Seeing his foe getting off his chariot, the Assyrian Soldier throws his own bow away before taking his Wickerwork Shield in his left hand and the Assyrian Spear in his right. After jumping off his chariot, the soldier charges forward with the warrior doing the same as they prepare to battle each other.

Reaching each other, the Celt thrusts his Lancea forward which his foe blocks with his Wickerwork Shield even though the spear head goes through it. As the Lancea is pulled back, the Assyrian performs a thrust with his spear which is blocked by the warrior's shield which doesn't break from the strike. Seeing his foe about to perform another thrust, the soldier places his shield in front of himself with the same result though it stops it from going further. As the Celtic Warrior pulls his Lancea back, the Assyrian Soldier attempts another thrust with his spear only for his foe to quickly move out of the way and start running.

The Assyrian is about to pursue when his foe turns around and steps forward to throw his Lancea like a javelin. The soldier raises his shield to block due to the short distance only for the spear to go through it and just barely hitting one of the plates of the lamellar armor. Looking at his damaged shield and then to the warrior, the man quickly discards his shield with the Lancea still in it before running forward with both hands on his spear. The Celt prepares himself as he grabs the hilt of his Long Sword and his foe reaches him before performing a thrust.

The Celtic Warrior easily blocks it with his shield before drawing his Long Sword and cutting off the head of the Assyrian Spear as his foe pulls it back. Looking at his broken weapon for a moment, the Assyrian backs up as he tosses it aside and grabs the hilts of both his Sappara and Iron Dagger. The Celt sees his foe draw both of his blades as he performs a slash that only slides across the iron lamellar. The Assyrian quickly counters with a slash using his Sappara, but his foe quickly blocks it with his shield before attempting another slashing strike.

However, the soldier moves to his right to avoid it and quickly gets steps forward before cutting the warrior's left arm with his Iron Dagger. Crying out in pain, the Celt drops his shield and steps away as he turns to the Assyrian who kicks the shield away from them. Going on the offensive, the Assyrian Soldier quickly performs a slash with both his Sappara and his Iron Dagger only for his foe to block the sword with his own and the chainmail simply causing the dagger to slide across it. The warrior attempts to perform a slash with his Long Sword, but it gets blocked by the soldier's Sappara and he narrowly avoids a strike to his neck from the Iron Dagger.

The Assyrian Soldier attempts a slash to his foe's neck with his Sappara, but the Celtic Warrior quickly blocks with his Long Sword as he draws his Celtic Dagger. The Assyrian attempts a thrust with his dagger, but the Celt back up in time to only receive a light nick to the left side of his neck. Using this, the soldier attempts another strike with his Sappara only for the warrior to block with his Long Sword and perform his own thrust with his dagger. Said dagger is able to get between a few plates and just go into the soldier's gut before the warrior pushes him back as he withdraws his dagger.

Despite the wound, the Assyrian attempts another slash with his Sappara with him bringing his arm back to perform a thrust with his dagger. However, the Celt ducks under the swing before getting back up and thrusting his dagger into the man's throat and quickly pulls it out as he steps back. Dropping his weapons, the Assyrian Soldier collapses to his knees as blood flows from his wound as the Celtic Warrior puts his dagger away and swings his Long Sword which cleanly cuts through his foe's head.

Moving out of the way as the body falls forward, the Celt steps over it and walks over to the head before kneeling down as he grabs the helmet. Quickly taking the helmet off and throwing it away, he grabs the head by its hair before standing up and raising it into the air as he lets out a cry of victory.

Final Verdict: These two Iron Age warriors who used chariots were great warriors in their own right, but it was the Celtic Warrior who obtained victory with a possible outcome of 5.3 out of 10 battles. Starting off, this is a battle where one had the edge in x-factors only to lose since their weapons and armor couldn't match it. The Assyrian Soldier took training and had the slight edge in both ferocity and intimidation while the Celtic Warrior had only physicality. However, where the Celt shined was with their weapons where they took all but long range and armor where their better helmet and shield allowed them to gain an advantage. Even though the Assyrian took the edge in long range, the fact that this match involved chariots meant that, once this got into close combat, the soldier lost his best chance at winning. Overall, the better physicality and weapons of the Celtic Warrior combined with their better armor allowed them to defeat the better trained and more ferocious Assyrian Soldier.

Got a battle you want to see? Tell me and I'll see if I can get it into the series! Next time, we pit the bloodthirsty Prince of Wallachia against the Warrior Princess of Mongolia.

Ray Tanaka: Hey, everyone! So...this one was rather strange since I had a feeling I've done it before. Like...in my old Deadliest Warrior story. Long story short, I started to realize this was basically like Celt vs. Egyptian Soldier once I learned the Assyrian's spear is based off the Egyptians and that they had a length of five feet. So, yeah, not surprising I came to the same verdict just with a smaller number of wins than in that battle. Also, while some people have described the dagger used by the Assyrian Soldier to be like the Kindjal, I couldn't find evidence for that and really only found that they used daggers to slit throats with. Plus, it made more sense for it to be similar to the Acinaces since they did fight the Scythians. As for next time, I don't know how many will get the second warrior but the first should be kinda obvious. Hope you all enjoyed!