Philip Freeman gives a full picture of Celtic Europe using primary sources written by classical authors such as Strabo, Tacitus, and Julius Caesar. Using these eyewitness accounts, he explores various aspects of Celtic life including war, food, religion and the role of women. He notes early on that the Greek and Roman writers may have biases, but their views are presented as written.
War, Women, and Druids: Eyewitness Reports and Early Accounts of the Ancient Celts
Through descriptions left by classical writers and historians, Freeman pieces together the culture of the Celts in Europe. The first chapter, "War," tells of Celtic tactics, weapons, and strategy. Aristotle describes Celtic warriors as "being absolutely without fear" (2). Freeman inserts accounts of different Celtic tribes across Europe, including Gaul and the northern Balkans. He also makes note of the separation between mainland Celts and those in the Western Isles, Britain and Ireland.
The next chapter, "Feasting," describes Celtic banquets, as well as their love of wine. Phylarchus of Athens gives a vivid picture of a year-long feast offered by the Celt Ariamanes. Ariamanes divided up his country (location unnamed) and set up banquet halls at specific stopping points along the road.
Celtic culture is also well-known for its poets and bards. Celts used an oral tradition, rather than writing. Keeping track of stories, history, and genealogies in their memories was key. Greek writers noted the importance of bards in Celtic society, and understood the spoken word held more power than the written. In the second century, Greek writer Lucian converses with a Celt after observing a picture of the Celtic god Ogmios. The Celt tells him, "...the arrows in his quiver represent words - sharp, fast and hitting the target - which pierce the spirit of the listener" (32).
War, Religion, and Celtic Women
Caesar's Gallic War provides much of what is known about Celtic religion and the role of Druids in their society. Freeman dedicates over two pages of this chapter to Caesar's description which proves invaluable. Caesar notes what is perhaps one of the core beliefs that "the cardinal teaching of the Druids is that the soul does not perish, but after death, passes from one body to another" (42). In exploring the role of women in Celtic society, Freeman makes clear that the idea of ancient Celtic equality is "a romantic view not supported in the classical sources" (53). Though women may have fought alongside men in battle,or even led their warriors such as Boudicca, their world was still male dominated.
Though classical writers may have had biases against the Celts, most accounts presented by Freeman seem factual and objective. Tacitus, Julius Caesar, and Aristotle are just a few of the eyewitnesses to ancient Celtic life.
To Buy the Book
Freeman, Philip. War, Women, and Druids: Eyewitness Reports and Early Accounts of the Ancient Celts. University of Texas Press. 2002. ISBN: 0292725450
Sheila Lamb - Sheila writes across a wide variety of genres, including web content, educational curricula, creative nonfiction, and fiction. Her first ...
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