Everyday Life of the Pagan Celts

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.