Celtic Warfare : From the Fifth Century BC to the First Century AD

Warfare was a crucial aspect of Celtic society, deeply linked to the spreading of their culture through all Europe. Between the fifth century BC, when La Tène Culture Celts developed in Europe, and the first century AD, when they faced the complete subjugation or annihilation of most of their communities, their approach to warfare was subject to constant evolution, driven both by contact with Mediterranean cultures and different requirements closely related to social issues that were in constant flux. Gioal Canestrelli offers an interdisciplinary approach, combining archaeological and literary sources and examining Celtic warfare from both a practical perspective, linked to weapons structure and military tactics, and a social perspective, analyzing the cultural implications of Celtic military development. Furthermore, the book analyses the different areas of the Keltiké, from Britain to Gaul, from Spain to the Alpine region, with more than 120 black & white drawings of the archaeological finds and a number of original color artworks of Celtic warriors. Warfare was a crucial aspect of Celtic society, deeply linked to the spreading of their culture through all Europe. Between the fifth century BC, when La Tène Culture Celts developed in Europe, and the first century AD, when they faced the complete subjugation or annihilation of most of their communities, their approach to warfare was subject to constant evolution, driven both by contact with Mediterranean cultures and different requirements closely related to social issues that were in constant flux. Gioal Canestrelli offers an interdisciplinary approach, combining archaeological and literary sources and examining Celtic warfare from both a practical perspective, linked to weapons structure and military tactics, and a social perspective, analysing the cultural implications of Celtic military development. Furthermore, the book analyses the different areas of the Keltiké, from Britain to Gaul, from Spain to the Alpine region, with more than 120 black & white drawings of the archaeological finds and a number of original color artworks of Celtic warriors. Plates Foreword Aristocratic Warriors (La Tène A: approx. 480-400 BC) Mercenaries (La Tène B1: approx. 400-320 BC) A People’s Army (La Tène B2: approx. 320-260 BC, La Tène C1: approx. 260-180 BC) Soldiers and Cavalrymen (La Tène C2: approx. 180-130 BC, La Tène D: approx. 130-10 BC) Two Examples of Conservatism: Alpine and British Celts The Celts of Iberia: A Particular Setting Appendix: Stratagems and Polorcetics (Siege War) Dictionary Notes Bibliography Covers Celtic warfare from 5th century BC to 1st century AD.