Why did the Celts fight naked?

Question

Celtic men fought their battles naked, and the Celtic women sometimes went into battle topless (Like Boudicca). What's the story behind why they did this?

Answer 1

There's one simple answer that opens up a branch of a few others that are more complicated. The simple answer: intimidation. The Romans in particular were terrified of the Celts because when they weren't wearing pants (gasp! at the idea... civilized men wore togas), they were stark naked. The Celts even streaked their hair with f***s and rubbed earth all over them (precursors to the blue face paint you see in Scottish history) for these reasons. It worked... with the help of these tactics they actually sacked Rome in the 400s BC and eventually drove the Roman armies from the British isles through their uncommon tactics.

Further reasons include tradition and practicality. They felt they were able to utilize a better range of movement than were the encumbered Romans with their armor.

Answer 2

The idea that all Celts were naked while fighting seems to stem from two Greek sources, Polybius and Diodorus Siculus, in the former's account it was the Gaesatae who fought naked ‘to avoid being trapped by brambles’. In Polybius's history he specifically mentions other tribes fighting clothed.

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Ro...

The story of Boudicca baring her b*****s was to show her followers the marks of her rape by the Romans.

The Picts and some Britons on the other hand apparently also fought naked covered with woad (although maybe another plant was used) if it was woad it might be because woad has an antiseptic quality and being naked would mean the cuts did not have any wool forced into the wound where it would lead to infection while the woad could pass on its antiseptic qualities directly into the cut.

Answer 3

They wanted to feel free.

Answer 4

Because Gordon Brown had taxed the shirts off their backs.

Answer 5

I believe it probably was for intimidation,especially as they were heavily tattooed or painted for warfare,with their hair spiked up into fantastical shapes by Iron Age gel! (true--imported spanish hairgel was found on a preserved irish bog body.) There may have been religious overtones in the nakedness as well-show the gods such courage by baring your flesh  and they would protect you.

Answer 6

To prove to their enemies that they were fearless and brave, and to strike fear into their hearts.  The Romans just thought that it made them easier to kill.  Go figure?