Warfare
“The most glaring disgrace that can befall them, is to have quitted their shield; nor to one branded with such ignominy is it lawful to join in their sacrifices, or to enter into their assemblies; and many who have escaped in the day of battle, have hanged themselves to put an end to this their infamy.”
A Cimbri’s shield was his delight, well that and hacking an enemy to pieces. Grafs would embellish theirs with bright colours and the picture of an animal to display his own martial prowess. What at first were personal ensigns of valour became in time hereditary and eventually heraldry. The freedman refrains from decorating himself, his shield however is the object of his care and he decorates it with the liveliest of colours. To lose ones shield in battle was a mortal sin.
“To wrongly accuse someone of losing their shield was said to be a most heinous crime punishable by fines, family excommunication, flogging or all three.”
Most Cimbri fought naked except for a short mantle, which was a loose, sleeveless cloak or cape, others fought without their mantle and just their pants. Tearing or soiling clothing was avoided by these people, rather showing their gods that they, unadorned, were pure and would be noticed. The other advantage to fighting this way allowed unrestricted movement for throwing javelins or swinging axes, clubs or swords.
“What proves the principal incentive to their valour is, that it is not at random nor by the fortuitous conflux of men that their troops and pointed battalions are formed, but by the conjunction of whole families, and tribes of relations.”
They would fight in their cantons or hundreds, being that fighting alongside family and relatives would cause one to fight harder to prove their courage and prowess. These cantons would form in wedges or ‘boar heads’ to penetrate the enemy lines like a spear. Oddly, it was considered bad form to outfight ones graf on the field of battle. They would sacrifice themselves for their graf, but would not show him up.
At the battle of Vercellae, Plutarch says the Cimbri measured just short of a 4X4 mile square and marched out to battle thusly;
“The infantry of the Cimbri marched quietly out of their fortifications, having their flanks equal to their front; every side of the army taking up thirty furlongs. Their horse, that were in number fifteen thousand, made a very splendid appearance. They wore helmets, made to resemble the head and jaws of wild beasts, and other strange shapes, and heightening these with plumes of feathers, they made themselves appear taller than they were. They had breastplates of iron and mail and white glittering shields; and for their offensive arms every one had two darts, and when they came hand to hand, they used large and heavy swords.”
Then……the sounds would start, from behind the army came a most unearthly noise produced by the women and priestesses. They would bang on hides stretched across the framework of their baggage wagons, then slowly the entire Cimbri would emit a low guttural roar that would rise in pitch and be enhanced when they put their mouths to their shields, and banged their weapons. Picture with your eyes closed…..300,000 men and 300,000 women roaring, wailing and banging on hides and drums, and tell me fight or flight wouldn’t enter your thoughts. For some enemy soldiers, once was enough, they refused to face it again.
“Moreover, close to the field of battle are lodged all the nearest and most interesting pledges of nature. Hence they hear the doleful howlings of their wives, the cries of their tender infants. These are to each particular the witnesses whom he most reverences and dreads; these yield him the praise which affect him most. Their wounds and maims they carry to their mothers, or to their wives, neither are their mothers or wives shocked in telling, or in sucking their bleeding sores. Nay, to their husbands and sons whilst engaged in battle, they administer meat and encouragement.”
Germania women were not to be taken lightly. The above passage relates their familiarity of warfare. In battles with Rome, bodies of women, equipped for battle, were found on the battlefield amongst the men. Florus and Plutarch relate what occurred during the battle of Vercellae in 101 BC.;
“But as they pursued those who fled to their camp, they witnessed a most fearful tragedy. The women, dressed in black, stood on their wagons and slew all who fled; some their husbands, some their brethren and others their fathers. They strangled their little children, and threw them under the wheels and the feet of the cattle and then killed themselves.”
The same occurred at Aquae Sextiae with the Teutone and Ambrone women. But most perplexing to the Romans was dealing with the dogs that refused to leave their masters and mistresses lifeless bodies.
Their tribal confederates were the Teutones, Amburones, Tigurines, Boii and the Helvetti. The known Cimbri Chiefs were, Boiorix , Gaesorix and Lugius.
What has been reported as tactics used by the Cimbri but you will not see in game:
The youngest and fleetest of foot would accompany the cavalry to;
A) Rescue a wounded rider, or if the rider was killed outright, mount the horse and continue the fight.
B) Follow the rider into a melee and strike an opponent / or opponents horse from below while they are occupied with their own rider.
C) Hold to the edges to take down any fleeing enemy.
It has been reported the Cimbri used chariots as did their Belgic cousins. However, it was observed that they were mainly used to transport troops into a fight, or pull wounded warriors out. It has also been reported that drums were mounted on these chariots which, when beaten, created a formidable sound.
The Cimbri had, believe it or not......Battle Wagons. Carts / wagons were wrapped in saplings and drawn up close to the lines. During various stages of battle women, yes women, would pop up and fire arrows at the enemy. They would hide and pop up, hide and pop up. Remarkable for a group of 'barbarians' don't you think?
NE PADA MI NA PAMET DA IKOGA UBJEDJUJEM DA NEMAJU, SAMO LUDAK MOZE POVEZAT KIMBRE I SRBE 
evo jos malo....
