The Astures and the Cantabrii were groups of indigenous tribes with a similar Celtic-influenced but distinctive culture, which were well-known for their fierceness, lust for freedom and indomitable character.
(Klon-ah Tek-oh-nuk; "Axemen of the North") - The Astures and the Cantabrii were groups of indigenous tribes with a similar Celtic-influenced but distinctive culture, which were well-known for their fierceness, lust for freedom and indomitable character. These mountain and valley dwellers were rather poor and primitive, lived on cattle and acorn, had matriarchal uses and became feared by their neighbours for their affinity to robbery and their plundering raids. They were also very appreciated as mercenaries for their endurance and bravery.
Hannibal employed a small contingent of Cantabrian foot warriors among his Iberian troops. They were encouraged to fight till death through a loyalty sacred pact, a 'devotio iberica'. Their leader then, named Laro, was reportedly a gigantic man feared for his mastery in the use of the bipenne axe.
The Cantabrii and the Astures are both skilled on horse and on foot. When fighting on foot, they can fight competently in close formation, but they're specially effective and fast in the rough terrain where they spend most of their lives, and they're well used to harsh weather and lack of food, making them specially apt for guerilla warfare and ambush tactics. Living in regions where iron is quite common and cheap, they employ a variety of armour, shields and weapons, including ranged weapons like soliferri, and melee weapons like Iberian falcata, or more commonly, one-handed bipenne axes they use with dreadful speed and skill.