Have you ever wondered what the British Isles were like before Catholicism was brought to them? It was a time before Romans had conquered most of northern Europe. The Celtics were on of the major powers of Europe. Without realizing it many people see Celtic influence in art and metal working. Surprisingly many people have forgotten how spread through Europe they were and what an impact they had.
The Celtics were an incredible, ingenious and cultural civilization spread throughout Europe. Freely, they had no definite religion or writing. 750-12 B.C. was the time span in which they were at the peak of their power. Resulting in being broadly located Europe; the Celtics were a mix of ethnicities. In this culture was shared and often borrowed from other European countries, when they migrated into those countries. They dominated most of northern Europe.
Migration is an extremely significant part of Celtic history. The Celtics spread and populated throughout the British isles, mainly Ireland and England. They migrated all over northern Europe. In order to move into a land they viciously raided and attacked it and gained it as their own or they just lived alongside the previous inhabitants. Eventually, they moved into France, while later settling into Italy with the Romans which is why some of their culture has a roman essence to it.
As a result of mysteriously having no writing of their own the Celtics borrowed written texts from other civilizations to right down their religious beliefs. Some religious texts were written on stone pillars, which they would do often. They had several absurd superstitious beliefs like believing that it was bad luck to get married on certain days of the week. Thinking there were spirits in nature they worshipped rivers trees and so forth. They also had priests called druids who led them in their religious beliefs. Four times a year there were festivals with feasting and dancing. These four festivals were called Imbolc, Beltain Lughnasa, and Sambain. Although they had no official religion of their own, they were still a religiously surrounded people.
There were no Celtic kingdoms instead they were divided into tribes. Within each tribe were clans, which were families that descended from a common ancestor. Each tribe was ruled by a valiant chieftain or king. Kings were chosen from noble families. In order for the tribe to function each social class had to work with each other. The farmers supplied food, the priests led in religious beliefs, merchants provided goods, and the kings or chieftains encouraged allegiance.
War was a major part of Celtic lifestyle. An intrigued Greek philosopher once proclaimed that the Celtics were “war mad…high spirited and quick for battle.” Chieftains often led battles or attacks. Before battle they often performed war dances and chants. Nobles, trained warriors and even women protected their tribes, whereas other civilizations would not allow the women to fight. Tribes would even become allies during attacks. Once a woman, who was a queen, led an attack, she caused much destruction before being defeated. War was also majorly important in a man proving himself in strength. It fascinatingly was a main part