The CeltsThe Celts

Who were the Who were the Celts?Celts?

A nomadic tribe of warriors whose appearance in Europe dates back to at least 800 BC.

Although they are most normally associated with Ireland, at their most powerful the Celts controlled vast areas ranging from Turkey all the way to Ireland.

The CeltsThe Celts

The Celts are referenced by Roman historians as well as in Greek mythology.

Herodotus (a classical Greek writer) described the Celts in the following way: Light skin, hair, and eyes

Boastful, proud, overly vain, but demonic in battle Childlike, ostentatious, but hospitable

Fond of hunting, feasting, music, poetry, glittering jewels and bright colors.

What happened to What happened to them?them?

With their energy and warlike temperament, the Celts were able to spread quickly through Europe.

Their free-spiritedness was no match for the Roman Empire though. The Celts were driven back to the westernmost parts of Europe, on the Irish Sea.

Why Ireland?Why Ireland? Due to it’s western location, Ireland,

unlike Britain where they were driven back by various invaders, was relatively isolated and stayed free from Roman colonization.

Therefore, the Celtic Irish culture stayed mostly the same until the arrival of Christianity.

The Celtic NationsThe Celtic Nations Ireland was not the only place where

the Celts flourished.

Ireland

There were other areas that managed to hold on to their Celtic heritage.

Scotland Wales

Isle of Man Brittany,

France Cornwall, England

Celtic MythologyCeltic Mythology Celtic mythology is made up of varied

stories from the different Celtic nations. While there are some stories and

characteristics that carry over from one location to the next, there are also distinctly different stories.

Some of the most famous Celtic myths are: Beowulf Morte D’Arthur (the stories of King

Arthur)

So we’ll start with…So we’ll start with…

Ireland!

IrelandIreland

The Celtic culture infused itself with the already existing Irish culture to produce what we see today.

To understand Irish mythology, a basic knowledge of geography is necessary.

Ireland is located in west of Britain, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Irish Sea on the other.

Irish GeographyIrish Geography

Although the island is now divided up into two separate countries (Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland), it was originally 5 different provinces.

Leinster (east coast) Munster (south coast) Connaught (northwest coast) Ulster (north coast) Meath (comprised parts of both

Leinster and Ulster, was later incorporated)

Important Cities & Important Cities & SitesSites

Tara (“Temair” in Gaelic) – originally located in the province of Meath, now a part of Leinster. Now only a field, it was the ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland.

In the center is the Lia Fail, or “Stone of Destiny”

Important Cities & Important Cities & SitesSites

Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú in Gaelic) – one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. It is visible from the hill at Tara.

It is 500 years older than the pyramids in Giza and 1000 years older than Stonehenge (according to carbon dating). It figures very importantly in Irish mythology, even though it dates before the Celts arrived. Every year on the winter solstice (shortest day of the year), the sun rises and shines directly down the tunnel and illuminates the chamber floor.

Important Cities & Important Cities & SitesSites

Navan Fort (Eamhain Macha) – believed to be an ancient ritual or ceremonial site. Located in Armagh, Northern Ireland (Ulster province).

The capital of Ulster, where the king of that province lived.

It is named after the goddess, Macha. Dates to 95 BC and has similar architecture to Tara.

Irish MythologyIrish Mythology

A portion of Irish mythology actually pre-dates the arrival of the Celts.

No one knows for sure what this civilization was like, and when the Celts arrived for sure is uncertain.

Irish MythologyIrish Mythology

There are four different cycles of Irish myth: The Mythological Cycle The Ulster Cycle The Fenian Cycle The Historical Cycle

We will be focusing on the first three cycles.

Irish MythologyIrish Mythology

Irish mythology differs from Greek mythology in a lot of ways: No real hierarchy of gods Gods are less specifically

drawn, no distinct physical description is given. The Irish didn’t have a Homer or a Hesiod or a Herodotus to write their stories.

Their stories are less romantic and more battle-oriented.

The Irish GodsThe Irish Gods

There was no real “king” of the gods.

Different gods had importance with different regions and clans.

Important gods: Ériu, The Dagda, The Morrigan, Lugh, Brigid

The DagdaThe Dagda

Irish HeroesIrish Heroes Each cycle has its own

distinctive hero.

These heroes have a multitude of different stories about them.

Most of the mythology deals with mortals, not gods.

Irish CalendarIrish Calendar The Irish calendar was based around the four

different festivals celebrated during the year.

Imbolc – February 1, First day of Spring (now St. Brigid’s Day)

Beltane – May 1, First day of Summer (now May Day)

Lughnasa – August 1, Beginning of the Harvest (still celebrated)

Samhain – November 1, End of the Harvest/Festival of the Dead (had a direct influence on how our Halloween)