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Drawings by Richard W. Feachem Bloodthirsty but idealistic warriors, the pagan Celts flourished in Western Europe for over 1,000 years - from the early Iron Age to the establishment of Christianity. Although they created no great material civilisation and remained un-literate, yet in the ancient world they were distinctive in appearance, culture and language, and even today their customs and language survive along the western seaboards of Britain. By skilfully piecing together archaeological discoveries, Classical references and the later vernacular literature of Ireland, Anne Ross re-creates the life of the pagan Celts. She outlines the structure of their society, from the king and the nobles to the freemen and slaves, and describes their fair appearance and gay, flamboyant dress. War and raiding were the Celts' normal occupations: they delighted in battle, single combat, headhunting and horsemanship. They did, however, have time to build forts and houses, and to establish sea-routes and roads for their trade. They delighted in entertainment, whether in the form of hunting, games, music or simply eating and drinking. It is, however, the ideals of the Celts - of heroism, perfection, wisdom - and their religion and art that raises them above the normal level of Iron Age barbarity. Dr Ross explains the elaborate laws of the Celts and their view of "the fitness of things"; she also describes their complex religious beliefs and practices: their temples and shrines, festivals and rites, deities and cults, and their ideas of the Otherworld. Outstanding examples of Celtic art - from sculpture and bronzework to pottery and enamel - are liberally reproduced throughout the book, most of them specially drawn by the archaeologist, R. W. Feachem. “Bloodthirsty but idealistic warriors, the Pagan Celts flourished in western Europe for over 1,000 years - from the early iron age to the establishment of Christianity. Although they created no great material civilization and remained un-literate, yet in the ancient world they were distinctive in appearance, culture and language, and even today their customs and language survive along the western seaboards of Britain. By skillfully piecing together archeological discoveries, classical references and the later vernacular literature of Ireland, Anne Ross re-creates the life of the pagan Celts. She outlines the structure of their society, from the king and the nobles to the freemen and slaves, and describes their fair appearance and gay, flamboyant dress. War and raiding were the Celts’ normal occupations: they delighted in battle, single combat, headhunting and horsemanship. They did, however, have time to build forts and houses, and to establish sea-routes and roads for their trade. They delighted in entertainment, whether in the form of hunting, games, music or simply eating and drinking. It is, however, the ideals of the Celts - of heroism, perfection, wisdom - and their religion and art that raises them above the normal level of Iron Age barbarity. Dr. Ross explains the elaborate laws of the Celts and their view of ‘the fitness of things’; she also describes their complex religious beliefs and practices: their temples and shrines, festivals and rites, deities and cults, and their ideas of the otherworld. Outstanding examples of Celtic art - from sculpture and bronzework to pottery and enamel - are liberally reproduced throughout the book, most of them specially drawn by the archaeologist, R. W. Feachem.” BOOK JACKET. The Illustrations 7 Acknowledgement 9 Preface 12 1. Origins and Early History; the Sources 13 The Celtic Peoples 15 The Archaeology of the Celtic World 16 Classical References to the Celtic Peoples 28 Rome and the Coming of Christianity 32 2. The Structure of Society; Appearance and Dress 34 The Structure of Society 35 Physical Appearance 40 Dress 45 3. Warfare, Communications, Forts and Houses 54 Warfare, Weapons and Chariots 56 Single Combat 63 Horsemanship and Head-Hunting 71 Conduct in Battle, Traditions and Tales 74 Roads and Wheeled Vehicles 78 Road Repairs, Bridges and Ferries 81 Fortifications 84 Houses 87 4. Games and Hunting; Music and Entertainment; Food and Drink 93 Board Games and Field Games 93 Hunting 97 Instrumental and Vocal Music 102 Food and Drink 105 5. The Laws; the "Fitness of Things"; Learning and Literature 110 The Laws 110 The "Fitness of Things" 114 The Inauguration of Kings 119 Learning and Literacy 123 6. The Religion of the Pagan Celts 131 The Nature and Scope of Pagan Celtic Religion 131 Sources 135 Temples, Shrines and Sanctuaries 136 The Druids 140 Idols, Images and Votive Offerings 146 Festivals and Ritual Gatherings 151 The Severed Human Head 154 Deities and Cults 158 Birds 167 Animals in Celtic Mythology 169 The Otherworld 172 7. Celtic Art 175 Artistic Styles 178 The British Isles 184 Monumental Stone Sculpture 194 Bronze Figurines and Cauldrons 202 Celtic Coinage 204 Celtic Mirrors 206 Ironwork, Pottery and Enamel 208 Conclusion 211 Epilogue 214 References to Shorter Quotations 216 Bibliography 217 Index 219