The Ancient Celts, Second Edition

Description

Fierce warriors and skilled craftsmen, the Celts were famous throughout the Ancient Mediterranean World. They were the archetypal barbarians from the north and were feared by both Greeks and Romans. For two and a half thousand years they have continued to fascinate those who have come into contact with them, yet their origins have remained a mystery and even today are the subject of heated debate among historians and archaeologists. Barry Cunliffe's classic study of the ancient Celtic world was first published in 1997. Since then huge advances have taken place in our knowledge: new finds, new ways of using DNA records to understand Celtic origins, new ideas about the proto-urban nature of early chieftains' strongholds, All these developments are part of this fully updated , and completely redesigned edition. Cunliffe explores the archaeological reality of these bold warriors and skilled craftsmen of barbarian Europe who inspired fear in both the Greeks and the Romans. He investigates the texts of the classical writers and contrasts their view of the Celts with current archaeological findings. Tracing the emergence of chiefdoms and the fifth- to third-century migrations as far as Bosnia and the Czech Republic, he assesses the disparity between the traditional story and the most recent historical and archaeological evidence on the Celts. Other aspects of Celtic identity such as the cultural diversity of the tribes, their social and religious systems, art, language and law, are also examined. From the picture that emerges, we are - crucially - able to distinguish between the original Celts, and those tribes which were 'Celtized', giving us an invaluable insight into the true identity of this ancient people. Cover The Ancient Celts - Second Edition Copyright Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the First Edition Contents 1. Visions of the Celts Classical Sources and Archaeology The Graeco-Roman Vision Oblivion and Awakening: c.1500–1700 Celtomania and Nationalism: c.1700–1870 The Contribution of Archaeology: 1870–1970 Celts at the End of the Century Celts in the New Millennium 2. Constructing the Historical Celts The Celtic Language The Insular Tradition of Vernacular Literature Archaeology Celtic Art Celtic Culture 3. In the Beginning 5500–1300 bc The Arrival of the Indo-European Languages The Atlantic Community People from the Steppe Is there a Compromise? 4. The Atlantic System1300–200 bc People from the East: Enter the Phoenicians Iberia: The Atlantic and Mediterranean Interfaces The Celtiberians The Celtic Language in Iberia The North-western Atlantic Zone: 1000–500 bc The Celts and the Celtic Language in the North Part of the Atlantic Zone 5. West Central Europeand the Mediterranean 1300–450 bc The Aegean World: Before 1000 bc The Re-Formation: 1000–800 bc The Foundation of the New Order: 800–650 bc The Western Mediterranean: 650–450 bc The Hallstatt World: 800–450 bc New Centres of Power: The La Tène Elite, 450/440–380/370 bc 6. The Migrations 450–50 bc The Graeco-Roman Tradition A Prelude to the Migration of 400 bc? The Initial Settlement: c.400 bc The Celtic Homeland at the Time of the Migrations The Celts in Italy: 400–180 bc The Danube Corridor in the Fifth and Fourth Centuries The Celts in the Balkans and Greece in the Fourth and Third Centuries The Celts in Asia Minor, Third Century bc to Fourth Century ad The North Pontic Regions in the Fourth and Third Centuries European Celts in the Third and Second Centuries The Mechanisms of Movement 7. The Communities of the Atlantic Façade The Beginning of Mediterranean Interest in the Far West The Westward Expansion of La Tène Culture Meanwhile in Iberia Communities of the Outer Atlantic Zone The Communities of Eastern and Central Britain The Communities of South-western Gaul and Western Iberia 8. Celts and Others on the Eastern Fringes Eastern Europe before the Celts Asia Minor before the Celts Celtic Settlement in Thrace Celts in the Pontic Region The Galatians The Celts in Egypt 9. Warfare and Society The Warrior and his Equipment The Battle The Feast The Social Hierarchy 10. The Arts of the Migration Period Materials and Methods The Origins of Aristocratic Art Celtic Art in the Fourth Century: Influences from the Po Valley Developments in the Third and Second Centuries The Impact of Scythians and Thracians The Art of the Sculptor Ceramic Art The Art of the Die Engraver The Broader Context 11. Religious Systems The Nature of the Celtic Gods Seasons and Festivals Humans and the Gods Groves, Springs, and Shrines Attitudes to Death 12. The Developed Celtic World The Extension of Roman Power: 200–60 bc The Roman Economy and the Celtic World Romans and the Society of the Celtic Periphery The Dacians and the Germans Intensification, Production, and the Emergence of Oppida Social Organization: Power and Prestige 13. The Celts in Retreat Celtiberians and the Classical World The Unstable Equilibrium: 133–60 bc The Conquest of Gaul: 60–50 bc Consolidation and Expansion: 50 bc–ad 10 Romanization and Rebellion: ad 10–40 Into Britain: ad 40–100 The Free Celts: Ireland in the First Century ad 14. Celtic Survival Celts under the Romans: First Century bc to Fourth Century ad Ethnic Readjustments in the Fourth to Sixth Centuries The Celtic Communities of the Middle Ages and After 15. Retrospect A Guide to Further Reading General Books More Specialist Works Chapter 1 Visions of the Celts Chapter 2 Constructing the Historical Celts Chapter 3 In the Beginning: 5500–1300 bc Chapter 4 The Atlantic System: 1300–200 bc Chapter 5 West Central Europe and the Mediterranean: 1300–450 bc Chapter 6 The Migrations: 450–50 bc Chapter 7 The Communities of the Atlantic Façade Chapter 8 Celts and Others on the Eastern Fringes Chapter 9 Warfare and Society Chapter 10 The Arts of the Migration Period Chapter 11 Religious Systems Chapter 12 The Developed Celtic World Chapter 13 The Celts in Retreat Chapter 14 Celtic Survival Chronological Tables Map Section Illustration Sources Index