Lecture Notes: The Ancient Celts

Introduction

Historical Context:
- Date: 335 BCE
- Location: Danube River
- Alexander the Great encounters a group of Celts.
- Described as tall, fierce-looking warriors.

Origins and Spread:
- Uncertain origins.
- By the time of Alexander, spread across Europe from Asia Minor to Britain and Ireland.
- Not a unified empire; consisted of independent tribes.
Social Structure:
- Each tribe had a warrior-king and a religious center.
- Tribes frequently engaged in battles among themselves and against other enemies.
Beliefs:
- Reincarnation belief contributed to battle fearlessness.
- Practiced head-hunting as a form of trophy.
- Warriors sometimes fought naked, dismissing armor.

Craftsmanship and Arts:
- Skilled craftsmen, artists, and poets known as bards.
- Bards celebrated heroism and criticized poor leadership.
Religious Beliefs and Druids:
- polytheistic religion.
- Druids were religious leaders, teachers, healers, judges, and scientists.
- Druids required extensive training and memorization as they didn’t record teachings in writing.
- Highly respected and could stop battles.

Roman Conquests:
- 2nd Century BCE: Romans invade northern Italy.
- Tribes in Spain fell to Romans.
- 1st Century BCE: Julius Caesar conquers France using manipulation.
- Initial tribal divisions weakened Celtic response to Roman threat.
Vercingetorix and Boudicca:
- Vercingetorix led a united but ultimately unsuccessful resistance against Romans.
- Boudicca led a significant but failed revolt in Britain.

Roman Expansion:
- Roman conquests lead to significant Celtic decline in mainland Europe.
Survivors:
- Celtic traditions largely survived in Ireland, which remained unconquered.
- Irish Celts preserved ancient traditions after the fall of Rome.

The Celts had a significant impact on European history through their unique culture and resistance against Rome.
Their legacy persists, particularly in regions like Ireland where ancient ways survived Roman conquest.