BATTLE-AXE

A military weapon, which is purely offensive, and owes its origin to the Celtae. It was not employed by the Greeks and Romans, though it was found among contemporary nations. At the siege of the lloman capitol by the Gauls under Brennus, the most distinguished warriors were armed with battle-axes; and Ammianus Mar cell in us states, that this instrument formed part of the offensive armour of the Gauls from time immemorial. In England, Scotland, and Ireland, the battle-axe was much employed: the Lochaber axe, in particular, was long a formidable implement of destruction in the hands of the Scottish Highlander, and obtained almost a universal reputation. [s. 151]