Why did many ancient cultures have a cult of immortality. I mean the Britons had naked warriors who would run out to battle wearing nothing but shorts. The Dacians and Thracians had Falx and Rhomphilia warriors who would run out wearing nothing but pants. I've read that Gauls, Berbers, Iranians and some Asian cultures had this as well. Why? Why did these people seem to think themselves immortal even though they could clearly see that people die quicker when not wearing protective gear. Was it just religious devotion? Did they actually want to die to meet their god?

Thank you for responding.
 

PhilippeO

Banned
because they want to believe ? it give re-assurance of safety, belief that you are special, and give courage in battle and life.

it some effect with dubious alternative medicine. a lot of people believe in chiropractic, homeopathy, or acupuncture. It give you re-assurance about your health, belief that you are special people who are willing to study and make effort while other indulge in junk-food and couch-surfing, and give you courage to work and life despite pain and uncomfortableness of your injury.

Note that its difficult to see that those belong to 'immortal cult' die quicker; ordinary warrior with chain-mail and leather-armor also die, battle always chaotic, and its flow unpredictable, it hard to judge whether they survive because of luck, skill, holy amulet or immortal cult. And boost of courage, self-reassurance and elite esprit de corps could make those 'Immortal Cult' unusually successful in battle.

And its not just ancient culture, some Boxer in China beleve that some amulet/ martial arts could make them immune to bullet. And there are stories of African warlord/shaman who could make its soldier impervious to bullet.
 
because they want to believe ? it give re-assurance of safety, belief that you are special, and give courage in battle and life.

it some effect with dubious alternative medicine. a lot of people believe in chiropractic, homeopathy, or acupuncture. It give you re-assurance about your health, belief that you are special people who are willing to study and make effort while other indulge in junk-food and couch-surfing, and give you courage to work and life despite pain and uncomfortableness of your injury.

Note that its difficult to see that those belong to 'immortal cult' die quicker; ordinary warrior with chain-mail and leather-armor also die, battle always chaotic, and its flow unpredictable, it hard to judge whether they survive because of luck, skill, holy amulet or immortal cult. And boost of courage, self-reassurance and elite esprit de corps could make those 'Immortal Cult' unusually successful in battle.

And its not just ancient culture, some Boxer in China beleve that some amulet/ martial arts could make them immune to bullet. And there are stories of African warlord/shaman who could make its soldier impervious to bullet.

Wow, I didn't think about it that way. Thank you. I was too focused on the religious aspect of it rather then the speciality aspect of it.
 
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