Miniature Gaming and Kilts... oh so wrong

[katmills2005]

As some of you know, I play some miniature gaming such as Warhammer and Warmachine. While at the game store last night I was floored by a new box of minis that came out.

A group of guys were hovering around the counter near the register oooing and ahhhing over a newly released box. One of my friends waved me over saying, "you have got to check this out. Its Celts!" Excited I hurried over and picked up one of the boxes... My jaw dropped at least three inches.

On the box, by a company called Warlords, was an artists illustration of how the army could be painted. I was expecting a kilted army, instead *cringes* the minis were depicted wearing both kilts and pants, at the same time; most of them in two different plaids with a third plaid design on their capes. It was like a clash of the tartans.

Everyone else seemed very impressed with the set and couldn't understand why I was so turned off by it.


This is a pic of the box front. (more pics on the back)



I may pick up a box just to try and paint a good army. I know kilts are not period, but neither is that depiction.

What's your two cents worth?

[ardchoille]

That's just wrong on so many levels.

[macneighill]

Hmmm . . in the picture, it appears to me that, they are wearing the Leine. As for the "bright colored" outfits, this is historically accurate. The Celts used berries and plants to dye their wool clothing different colors. In the end, their clothing, once dyed, would look very much like a tartan.

The Celts' clothes showed their status and importance within the tribe. Men would wear a tunic with a belt, a cloak and trousers. Women wore dresses fastened with brooches.

In battle, the men in front would be nude and, the men in the rear would wear trousers and cloaks. Here is an account, from the Roman's point of views: http://www.isle-of-skye.org.uk/celti...ia/celt_c3.htm.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Given that very few photos of the period have survived... I don't think one can be too critical.

[macneighill]

Given that very few photos of the period have survived... I don't think one can be too critical.

There are no photos at all from the period (as cameras have a long time to be invented from Ancient history), just paintings, drawings, sketches, etc. But, most of those were done well after the period itself.

Something we do have: are accounts from individuals that were there, in the presence of Celts (i.e. the Romans, even accounts from individuals on into Early British Isle history) . The remainder has come from archaeological research/digs.

[katmills2005]

I think more, that our modern view of fashion (especially where kilts are concerned) influences our perception of what celtic fashion was. The link offered some interesting reading. I am not sure how the guys would react to me fielding an army of naked Celts. LOL

[macneighill]

I think more, that our modern view of fashion (especially where kilts are concerned) influences our perception of what celtic fashion was. The link offered some interesting reading.

The fundamental difficulty of studying ancient history is the fact that only a fraction of it has been documented and only a fraction of those recorded histories have survived into the present day. So, we must rely, somewhat, on individual accounts and, historical research (to include archaeological sites).

I am not sure how the guys would react to me fielding an army of naked Celts. LOL

That would be interesting, to see their reactions .

[slohairt]

I think it looks reasonably accurate. The kilt wasn't worn back then, but tartan breccae supposedly were. The severed heads, handle-bar 'staches, weaponry, and gaudy colours all sing to my ancestral blood! (Just kidding.) As for a 'clash of the tartans', if you examine historical paintings, you'll note that this has occurred until fairly recent times.

[Coemgen]

All in all, it seems historically accurate (so far as we know), it just doesn't fit our perceptions of what it was like (Braveheart, anyone? ).

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There are no photos at all from the period (as cameras have a long time to be invented from Ancient history), just paintings, drawings, sketches, etc.

The photo comment was a humorous remark.