Civilization · c. 1200 BCE – 500 CE
Celtic Peoples
Iron Age Europe from the Atlantic to the Balkans.
Capital: None (tribal) · Western Europe
Overview
Celtic-speaking peoples dominated Iron Age Europe from Iberia to Anatolia (the Galatians). They fell to Rome on the Continent but survived in Britain, Ireland and Brittany.
Timeline
- c. 1200 BCEUrnfield / proto-Celtic origins
- c. 800 – 450 BCEHallstatt culture
- c. 450 BCE – 100 BCELa Tène culture
- 58 – 50 BCECaesar conquers Gaul
Rulers
United Gauls against Caesar
Iceni queen who rebelled against Rome
Wars & conflicts
- Gallic Wars
- Boudican revolt
- Sack of Rome (390 BCE)
Architecture
Hillforts, oppida (proto-cities), roundhouses, dry-stone brochs.
Religion
Druids; polytheism with Lugh, Brigid, the Dagda.
Economy
Iron, salt, cattle, exchange with Greeks and Etruscans.
Technology
Advanced ironwork, chariots, coinage from the 3rd c. BCE.
Art
La Tène curvilinear metalwork, Book of Kells (post-Christian), stone crosses.
Influence
Celtic languages survive in Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Breton.
Decline
Roman conquest on the Continent; retreat to the Atlantic fringe.
Key sites
- Hallstatt
- Bibracte
- Tara
- Emain Macha