Who were the Celts?
A timeline demonstrating the rein of the Celts during the Iron age.
The time where the Celts ruled Britain was generally over the Period of the Iron Age. This dates back till around 600BC till 50AD, although Celtic religion began its rapid decline when Julius Caesar conquest of the Gauls (Western Europe during Iron age). This conquest eradicated the Celtic society.
There were 3 main groups of Celts who lived in Europe these were;
There were 3 main groups of Celts who lived in Europe these were;
- the Gauls
- the Britons
- the Gaels
There are many different archaeological evidence of this ancient culture. One of the reasons that our knowledge of this ancient culture is hindered is because the Celts did not read and write, although the Greeks and Romans and they tell us a lot about them. The following quote is from a Greek geographer and historian Strabo (63 BC – 21 AD)
“The whole race is fanatically fond of warfare. They are vociferous and act on impulse. When they are upset, they immediately gather together in groups in the open, to urge on to warfare, without the slightest preparation or reflection. They are therefore quite easily deceived and overpowered.”
Another quote about this race is from the historian Diodorus from Sicily (ca. 100 BC)
“The Gauls are strongly addicted to the use of wine. They fill themselves up with the wine brought into their lands by our merchants. They drink it unmixed, and as they drink without moderation, they soon fall unconscious to the ground or become mad. Many merchants sees the Gauls’ love of wine as a blessing for themselves. For they transport the wine on the navigable rivers … and on wagons through the inland, and they obtain an incredible price for it – for a jar of wine they receive a slave in exchange."
Just these two quotes develop a large insight into the life of the Celts. A life full of feasts, drinking and warfare. Although the Celtic culture was much more intricate than this. The Celts were extremely skillful craftsmen (achievements such as developing the wheel and expanding iron trade into the alps,) and revolutionary farmers using selective breeding to attain some of the most sought after livestock in Western Europe. Although, one of the most interesting and intricate aspects of their culture was their religion.
Every culture needs a religion to survive. This is a school assignment based website which comprehensively provides that way in which the Celts found meaning in their life.
Every culture needs a religion to survive. This is a school assignment based website which comprehensively provides that way in which the Celts found meaning in their life.