The Ancient Celts by Hunter Haynes

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Slide Notes

The Ancient Celts

Learn about the Ancient Celts.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

The Ancient Celts
By Hunter Haynes

Photo by Leo Reynolds

The Celts were a Caucasian civilization that inhabited Scotland, Ireland, Wales and other neighboring countries. They first 'formed' in 1200BC (the Iron Age) from Austria. They existed in the same times as the Roman Empires and were famously attacked by them many times. They were famous because of their unique languages, technology and warfare.

The Celts owned Gaul, a large part of Europe for some time, but the Romans captured it.

Photo by byb64

The Celts were known for owning the Celtic Countries, which were Alba (Scotland), Mannin (Isle of Mann), Eire (Ireland), Kernow (Cornwall), Cymru (Wales) and Briezb (Brittany). The Celts frequently traded between the countries.

However, the Celts owned a lot of Europe, but it was unfortunately claimed by the Romans later on. However, the six Celtic Nations still speak many of the Celtic Languages, such as Welsh.

The Celts used many of the rivers to trade to another nations, and frequently blocked rivers and invented Tolling, by charging them resources or money.

The Celts were frequently known by other civilizations for their trading. The Celts traded a huge range of items, such as grains, animal skins and hides, salt, gold, flour, pottery and glass products.

In Switzerland, archaeologists discovered an ancient Celtic ship. The ship was discovered about 80 meters off shore. The ship was about 60 feet long and has the capacity to reach further lands around the Mediterranean seas.

The picture in the background shows which nations were claimed, captured on influenced by the Ancient Celts. Scotland, Ireland and a few other nations still contain Celtic culture.

Celtic warfare was extremely similar to the Barbarians that frequently attacked Rome and other nations. They usually had a sword or spear, and frequently used carts, cavalry and other means of transportation.

Some Romans even reported that the Celts have fought naked, or with minimal clothing or protection. They also startled the Romans when they were once saw fighting in trousers!

A famous Celtic leader, Boudicca, was reported to have spears attached to her war cart. However, this is usually considered a myth by most historians.

Photo by Bernie Goldbach

Boudicca was a Celtic Queen mostly known for her efforts to uprise against the Roman Empire. Her husband was an independent ally to Rome. However, when he died his will was completely ignored and his kingdom was claimed. She then became queen of many Celtic nations, and lead over 100,000 Celtic soldiers to the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, she was killed in 61AD, at the age of 31.

The Celtic Soldiers killed over 80,000 Romans and British citizens. Boudicca remained as a important figure in British history, named as one of the most influential women and leaders of all time.

The Ancient Celts invented chainmail, a famous type of armor used later in history, by the Knights and used in the Dark Ages as basic armor. They also invented the Longbow, a traditional large type of Bow. The Celts also invented the amazing and wonderful instrument known as the bagpipes and the fiddle. These are extremely popular in Ireland and Scotland, and have become a national icon. The also invented the Celtic Harp, which is very popular as well in the Celtic Nations.

Due to the Celts being a very 'oral' nation, it is very difficult to gather information on who invented certain items.

Halloween! A time for families to dress up in spooky costumes.

The Celts invented Halloween. They called it Samhain and it celebrated the end of the harvest. They would leave their doors open to welcome the dead inside, and it was believed that the dead would come back at this time (in spirit form of course).

TIMELINE

TIMELINE (2)

Celtic Religion is extremely rare to find for many historians, and is difficult for historians to track down on its origins. However, the Ancient Celts were known for having similar or different religions depending on the area. They had their own gods, goddesses and cults.

Stonehenge is an extremely well known landmark and has had many people puzzled for a long time on its purpose. However, it is most likely believed to be a worship site for certain Celtic Regions.

The Celts were known for their sophisticated and original folk tales. They were known for creating characters such as Leprechauns, Fairies, Haggis Creatures and other magical beasts. They were very popular with Celtic children.

The Celts also loved their music. They were known for playing folk like music with Fiddles, Harps and Bagpipes, which have been incorporated into many other modern songs.

Celtic Children participated in a variety of dances such as the Irish Jig, a famous dance the Celts invented.

The Celtic society was in a way, quite 'fair' on their people. They tried their best to make sure every citizen would have a fair lifestyle. For example, the Celts would charge tax on property to help pay for the less able. When somebody died, their debts were destroyed.

The Celts had six 'ranks' on their hierarchy tree, which each was decided by a variety of different factors. The lowest rank was non-freeman, or criminals. Above them were the shepherds and workers, and then the landlords. The Celts also had a government, where certain individuals would be elected as Officials. Above the Officials were the Druids, and then the Chieftains.

Celtic education was all performed orally, and was passed down from generation to generation. Because of this, it is very difficult to see how they lived because nothing was written down.

Most Celtic Children learned from Barbs, which were the storytellers and elders of the tribes. To become a Barb you had to spend almost twenty years in training.

The Druids were Doctors, Judges, Priests and Philosophers. They were responsible that everything in the society functioned, and were looked up at by other Celts.

The Celts and neighboring societies were known for having a large population of red haired and ginger population. However, there is an ongoing debate whether the Vikings or the Celts brought the gene into society. Nearly fifty percent of the Celtic Nations contain the gene, but only about ten percent actually have red hair. Two percent of the world are Red Haired. The gene was created when colder temperatures were common in Europe and Vitamin D was scarce. This meant red haired people could flourish because their skin absorbs more Vitamin D than other hair colors and races.

The Romans also sold Red-Haired slaves for more because they gave good luck.

"Most of the inland inhabitants [of Britain] do not sow corn, but live on milk and flesh, and are clad with skins. All the Britons indeed, dye themselves with woad, which occasions a bluish colour, and thereby have a more terrible appearance in fight. They wear their hair long, and have every part of their body shaved except their head and upper lip. "
Julius Caesar (A Roman Emperor)

The Romans wouldn't call the Celts 'Celts'. In fact, Celts are a modern name and they were referred too as Britons.

Photo by Stuck in Customs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hunter Haynes