Celtic Chariots

[fsn]

I have read the Divine Julius. I understand Celtic chariots were used as in the Iliad; a missile platform and warrior taxi system.

My question was about the sides. The reproduction in Edinburgh had sides that were too low to hold on to whilst standing. What use they were they? As a brace for the lower leg?

Practically, a hand rail would have been, IMHO, a sensible option for long distances.

[Ithoriel]

My question was about the sides. The reproduction in Edinburgh had sides that were too low to hold on to whilst standing. What use they were they? As a brace for the lower leg?

Practically, a hand rail would have been, IMHO, a sensible option for long distances.

I have heard it suggested that the sides were not there to steady the crew, nor to stop incoming weaponry but to stop you from stepping too far sideways (if, say, jolted by particularly rough terrain) to keep ones balance and finding one's feet entangled in a rapidly moving wheel, to the detriment of the combat efficiency of the weapon system

Coming from a PhD student studying ancient Celtic warfare rather than an actual ancient Celt it is entirely conjecture but it made more sense to me than the idea that you held onto or hid behind something that barely came up to your knees.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

FSN, I think you sat down in the back until the last moment?

[fsn]

Thank you, Gentlemen. Makes sense.

Still think a hand rail would have been a good idea! 

[Leman]

Handrails appear to be a missing essential item in many adventure films, e.g. Star Wars and Star Trek.