The Celts

VI-I century

the celts

Giulia Chiari,Emanuela del Sole e Lucia Campari

Start

The Celts

Giulia,Emanuela

The Celts, or Britons, were settled in Great Britain.The term "Celts" was used in the 18th century and derives from "Keltoi" which means "Barbarians". The Celts emigrated to Britain in 700 BC, they came from central Europe or southern Russia. They brought with them advanced technologies for working iron, but they were more advanced in agriculture, in fact they created new methods of plowing. They settled in fortresses hilly. They are focused on commercial activities both locally, but also in Ireland and mainland Europe. On the social ladder, at the highest level there are the "druids", they are shamans, diplomats and legislators (Merlin was the most famous among them). The family unit "clan", which was consolidated in the tribes, had customs of the coinage system. Then there were farmers and fierce warriors, the former were innovative in their use of the iron plow. The status of women was high, they had the right to own property and choose their husband. Religious practices took place in the woods, with human sacrifices. Subsequently the Romans invaded the territory in 43 AD. and the Celts become a subjugated population, called Romano-barbarian.

The society

giulia

Celtic society was organized into independent tribes with leaders and druids who managed politics, religion and justice. The religion was polytheistic, linked to nature, and practiced through sacrifices and rites. Society was stratified, with warriors at the top and farmers and artisans below. Women had superior rights compared to other cultures, including political participation. The economy was agricultural, but also commercial, with a strong presence of craftsmanship. The Celts were militarised, with a strong warrior tradition. Justice was administered orally.

Very important and known is also Celtic pottery, with its elegant, curved shapes and often features dark or red colors with black decorations. Early pottery usually had only geometric designs, then it evolved into more sophisticated motifs, including animals, that were incised, painted, or stamped onto the pottery. Curvilinear patterns filled available space and accentuated the vessel's shape. The introduction of the potter's wheel from the Mediterranean allowed for higher-quality pottery.

Celtic Horse Brooch, 550 BCE

Celtic Pfalzfeld Pillar, 500 BCE.

Celtic art from the 6th to 1st century BCE was characterized by a strong focus on nature, with frequent depictions of animals such as stags, boars, and horses, as well as gods and warriors. The art often included flowing lines and complex vegetal designs, which decorated both functional objects and ceremonial items. The main goal of Celtic art was to express messages of power and spiritual beliefs about life and the afterlife. The Celtic art was also influenced by neighboring cultures, like the Greeks and Scythians, which introduced new decorative techniques, materials, and motifs, which the Celts then adapted into their own unique artistic tradition.

The art

lucia

The beliefs

emanuela

Celtic beliefs were closely tied to nature, magic, and gods. The Celts believed in many gods and goddesses, each associated with different aspects of life, such as war, fertility, or nature. For example, Cernunnos was the god of nature and animals, while Brigit was the goddess of fire and poetry.The Celts saw nature as sacred, with trees, rivers, and mountains considered places inhabited by spirits. They also believed that death was not the end but a transition to another life, and that souls could reincarnate. The druids, who were priests and keepers of knowledge, performed religious rituals in the woods and taught traditions. Magic was very important to them, and they believed they could influence the world with spells. The main Celtic festivals were linked to the changing seasons, such as Samhain (marking the beginning of winter) and Beltane (celebrating the growth of nature). In general, Celtic spirituality was centered on respect for nature, spirits, and the cycle of life and death.