The Celts were an indo-european people, whose motherland was in Central Europe. Particularly parts of Austria (Hallstatt) and Germany. In time, and due to various reasons, including the aggressive migrations/invasions of Norse-Germanic peoples, and later, the bellic growth of the Roman Empire, the Celts expanded themselves, mostly, - but not only - to the remaining Western Europe. Today's France, for example, was an important Celtic territory - Gaul. There, the most notorious Celtic chief, Vercingetorix, managed to unify the Celtic tribes, and fight against the Romans. After the legendary victory of Gergovia, they lost in Alesia's siege. After that, Vercingetorix and the Celts subdued to the Romans. Ceasar's literary work, "The Gaullish Wars" is one of the most relevant ones, regarding Ancient texts. The Celts also occupied and made theirs, the insular lands of the British Isles. And, until today, Celtic culture is mostly visible within the Irish, Welsh and Scottish territories, where the regional dialects descend from Celtic languages. Less mentioned, although important, is the Celtic presence in the Iberian Peninsula. Specially in Northern Portugal, and Galicia (Spain). After arriving, the Celts quickly imposed their superior culture to the natives, and their different tribes mingled in what is called the Celtiberians. The so-called "Castros" - citadels - are Celtiberian constructions made of stone. They can be seen and visited, until today. And traces of Celtic culture can be detected, within the places were Celts left their mark. Some supersticions, habits of wearing amulets and jewelry, for example. They survive in such areas, left alone by urbanization. The Romans, eventually, conquered the entire Iberian Peninsula, and most of today's Great Britain. Although, not all. Caledonia (today's Scotland) was not conquered. And Ireland was never invaded. Eventually, the Celts continued their never-ending assimilation process. And by the 5th century, when Germanic tribes invaded Britain, we can say that the Celts and Romans had merged into one people. Each of them bringing their traces. The legend of King Arthur is an important british celtic-roman Medieval legend of this period. It's also important to mention how the Celts absorbed Roman culture, in Gaul. And how both peoples influenced each other. Many Celts adopted Latin (even if Vulgar Latin) and entered the Roman Army, seeing it as an opportunity. They were skilled in horse riding. The Romans, for example, adopted the Celtic Goddess Epona. - Goddess of horses. We can speak of a Gallo-Roman culture, in this case. It's important to mention that the Celts also settled in parts of Eastern Europe. Such as territories of today's Bulgaria, Serbia and Turkey. The common Celtic warriors would often fight naked, and were very fierce in combat. Ceaser told they were once the most brave people in Gaul. - There were others, like the Belgians. - The Celts´ lack of discipline, however, made them a prey to the Roman's well oiled war machine. The Celts probably didn't share an homogeneous ethnicity. They were linked to each other mostly by culture, traditions, customs, social organization, language and religion, for example. And, as more they expanded, so did their ethnic roots. Regarding customs, for example, ancient authors like Cassius Dio mention the freedom of women, within Celtic society. Including sexual freedom. They were polytheistic, meaning, they worshiped various gods, as the remaining Indo-European peoples. The Celts had an enourmous number of gods/deities. A river, for example, could have its own patron god. We can obserb that same process within the Catholic saints. Celtic festivities, such as the Samhain were adopted by Christianity, and even by modern culture. - Halloween. Celtic deities, however, didn't have a human representation until the Iron Age. Nevertheless, it's an interesting statement. Read more about their religion in my chapter/music about Druidism. Still in this domain, it's interesting to notice that the Celts would cut off the heads of their enemies, because they saw the head as a source of power, connection to other world, and emotions. As a final curiosity, you may find interesting to know that the Celtic tribe Boii gave their name to Bohemia, Bologna, and probably Bavaria. And so it ends our short chapter. You can listen to some more of my music in the following websites: www.reverbnation.com/weapon12 www.reverbnation.com/weapon1143 Downloads available. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, doubts or both. Comments and suggestions are also very welcome. Regards.

• published: 26 Nov 2014
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