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8 of the Most Feared Warlike People in History

Many wars have been fought over the millennia, but there are some warriors that have remained etched into the collective human psyche never to be forgotten. These are the most feared warlike peoples (and their warriors) in human history: 
 

1. Celtic warriors 

warriors
Celts believed that a person's soul resided in their head, so Celtic warriors became notorious for collecting the heads of those they killed and keeping them as trophies. Having a collection of them was seen as an honor in Celtic culture. It goes without saying that the Celts were brutes and fearsome opponents in battle. 

2. Norman warriors 

warriors
These descendants of the Vikings inherited brutal battle skills from their forefathers, with particular reference to their ability to fight on horseback. This meant that they had the ability to scythe through their opponents very quickly and make their escape. The Normans were also one of the first peoples to use progressive military tactics to confuse their opponents. 

3. Macedonian warriors 

warriors
At one point in history, Macedonian warriors were the most feared warriors in the known world. Despite their humble roots in farming, the Macedonians began to rise to prominence in Europe under Phillip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The Macedonian army was extremely well-disciplined, well-practiced and regimented, and employed ingenious strategies in the heat of battle. Its soldiers were also extremely loyal - those who marched alongside Alexander the Great on his 20,000-mile conquest were unpaid and went with him purely on the basis of being able to fight alongside him. 

4. Spartan warriors 

warriors
Spartan boys learned the art of warfare at the age of five - whether they liked it or not. They lived in barracks full-time and were sent out into the wild aged 12 armed with their weapons and a cape. After the age of 18, they pretty much devoted their entire lives to the army and the state of Sparta. Spartan warriors did not usually retire before the age of 60. 
 

5. The Huns 

warriors
The Huns were so savage that they used to slash the cheeks of newborn boys on the premise that they'd learn to deal with pain from the moment they came into this world. Just like the Normans, the Huns were horseback specialists that swept across Europe, striking fear in the hearts of their subjects. They also invented the Hunnic Bow, which was the most advanced long-distance weapon in the world at the time. 

6. The Vikings 

warriors
Notorious for pillaging and plundering, the Vikings rose to the height of their power in the 11th century AD. They were master sailors, swordsmen, and naval warfare specialists. Viking longboats usually had a capacity of about 60 warriors apiece, allowing them to travel across waterways very speedily. 

7. Aztec warriors 

warriors
Bravery was the name of the game for Aztec warriors. Aztec boys were called up to the army at the age of 17 and learned to use javelins, spears, and clubs rather than swords. The most respected and feared Aztec warriors could be identified by them wearing full jaguar hides, and they were expected to take captives in order to move up the military hierarchy. 

8. Samurai warriors 

warriors
A samurai's sword was his prized possession, and he was also expected to follow the chivalrous code of the Samurai, which was known as Bushido. Their swords were usually tested on unfortunate prisoners, and they had armor that was both incredibly light and incredibly strong. What's more, is that Samurai were highly literate and very well-educated. 
 
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