The Untold History of the CeltsBefore the Vikings, before the Anglo-Saxons, before the Roman Empire, the Celts dominated central and western Europe. Today we might think of the Celts only inhabiting parts of the far west of Europe Ireland, Great Britain, France and Spain but these were the extremities in which their culture lasted longest. In fact, they had originated in Central Europe and settled as far afield as present day Turkey, Poland and Italy. From their emergence as an Iron Age people around 800 BC to the early centuries AD, Celts reveals the truth behind the stories of naked warriors, ritual beheadings, druids, magic and accusations of human sacrifice. The book examines the different tribes, the Hallstatt and La Tène periods, as well as Celtic survival in western Europe, the Gallic Wars, military life, spiritual life, slavery, sexuality and Celtic art. |
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ancient Celts areas armor army Atrebates attack Balor barbarians bards battle became Belgae Britain British Isles bronze Caesar’s campaign Caratacus Carthage Carthaginian Celtiberian Celtic art Celtic culture Celtic society Celtic tribes Celtic warriors Celts chariot chieftain Christian clothing conflict conquest created Cú Chullain Dagda decoration defeat depicted druids Dumnonii Empire enemy Europe eventually expedition festival Fianna fight Fionn Mac Cumhaill Fir Bolg Fomorians fortified fought Gallic Gaul Gaulish Germanic goddess gods Greek Hallstatt culture Helvetii heroes High King hill-forts Iberia influence invaders invasion Ireland Irish Iron Age Italy killed known La Tène culture lands leader lived Lleu Lugh magical marriage mercenaries migrated Morrigan mythology myths Nemedians Nuada perhaps probably proto-Celts Pryderi recorded region revolt Roman forces Rome satire Senones settlement shield spear status survived sword Tène territory took trade tribal confederation Tuatha Dé Danann Urnfield Veneti Vercingetorix Vikings Volcae Wales weapons