The Celts
did not have a caste society, but there were well-defined classes.
At the top
was the noble class. At some periods of Celtic history, the top man was a
king. Kingship was often seen as divine
- rulers were men through whom the gods spoke. Kingship was not necessarily
inherited, for kings could name their successor. There were also queens, who
sometimes ruled in their own right. Among them are the legendary Irish warrior
queen, Maeve, and the British Boudicca, who led the rebellious Iceni against
Roman rule in AD 61.
But
kingship was not the only form of rule. Several tribes abolished kingship.
Instead of a king, a magistrate, the Vergobret, elected by the nobility, headed
the tribe. But the real power was in the hands of the noble class.
What is
interesting, the landless commoners also had the possiblility of personal
advancement by making a fortune through commerce or war.
Slaves
could not fight in times of war. Other men had the right to bear arms and were
only permitted to fight when their lives were threatened.
The Celtic Women
The Celtic women had the right to divorce unlike the Roman women. They also could choose husbands themselves and they could not be persuaded in this matter.
Celtic
women had the right to bear arms and this was common practice. Wives often
accompanied their husbands into battle. In battle, they made great use of
psychological tactics to draw the enemy's attention by screaming and dancing wildly.
The Greek historian, Ammianus Marcellinus (c.400 AD) describes Celtic women warriors as:
“usually very strong, and has blue eyes; in rage her neck veins swell, she gnashes her teeth, and brandishes her snow-white robust arms. She begins to strike blows mingled with kicks, as if they were so many missiles sent from the string of a catapult. The voices of these women are formidable, even when they are not angry but being friendly.”
And HERE you can explore the revolt of Boudicca, learn what really happened then, who were the main characters of the story, what were the main events.
Housing and
common activities
The Celts
lived in roundhouses. That is known from the archaeological remains that have
been excavated and dated to the Iron Age. The size of the roundhouses can be
seen from the rain ditches which surround the houses. From those evidences we
can know that their houses were very large and could house a lot of people.
These
houses had thatched roofs made with straw and heather. Houses on the South were
made from wattle, the construction of woven wood and daub, which was straw and
mud. The supplies for their houses could be easily get in the forests at those
times. Their houses had no windows. For cooking and heating Celts used to light
fire right in the roundhouses, which is why there used to be a lot of smoke
that went outside throught the opening in the roof. The Celts also often kept their animals near
them in their houses, and in order to keep warm, often slept with them. Groups
of houses were often built on the hill-forts in order to be more protected and to have better
observation.
The Celts
brought many new skills to the peoples they conquered. They knew how to smelt
iron and forge it into useful things. They decorated their helmets, shields,
and arms with artistic metalwork and enameling. The Celts were also adept in
such practical matters as curing hams, keeping bees, and making wooden barrels.
The Celts
used bronze and gold as well as iron. The heads of the tribe wore beautiful
jewellery to show their status.The Celtic craftsmen loved symmetrical designs
and patterns. They were especially fond of a three-legged (triskeles) shape,
and they liked to use animal shapes and faces in their patterns.
Their skill
as metal workers was also important when they were defending themselves from
their enemies. They needed sharp objects like spears, as well as shields, to
defend themselves from enemy attack.
And HERE you can explore the revolt of Boudicca, learn what really happened then, who were the main characters of the story, what were the main events. Housing and common activities
The Celts
lived in roundhouses. That is known from the archaeological remains that have
been excavated and dated to the Iron Age. The size of the roundhouses can be
seen from the rain ditches which surround the houses. From those evidences we
can know that their houses were very large and could house a lot of people.
These
houses had thatched roofs made with straw and heather. Houses on the South were
made from wattle, the construction of woven wood and daub, which was straw and
mud. The supplies for their houses could be easily get in the forests at those
times. Their houses had no windows. For cooking and heating Celts used to light
fire right in the roundhouses, which is why there used to be a lot of smoke
that went outside throught the opening in the roof. The Celts also often kept their animals near
them in their houses, and in order to keep warm, often slept with them. Groups
of houses were often built on the hill-forts in order to be more protected and to have better
observation.
The Celts
brought many new skills to the peoples they conquered. They knew how to smelt
iron and forge it into useful things. They decorated their helmets, shields,
and arms with artistic metalwork and enameling. The Celts were also adept in
such practical matters as curing hams, keeping bees, and making wooden barrels.The Celts
used bronze and gold as well as iron. The heads of the tribe wore beautiful
jewellery to show their status.The Celtic craftsmen loved symmetrical designs
and patterns. They were especially fond of a three-legged (triskeles) shape,
and they liked to use animal shapes and faces in their patterns.
Their skill
as metal workers was also important when they were defending themselves from
their enemies. They needed sharp objects like spears, as well as shields, to
defend themselves from enemy attack.
Also you can FOLLOW THIS LINK to play a funny free game about the Celts. Make the Celtic people work and build the village! This game is old enogh, but still, just for fun! ))
