People often ask “What’s the big deal with the Celts, anyway?” At around 400 B.C., the Celts controlled most of Europe (see graphic, an image found on pinterest) and continue to be the primary controlling influence in 7 major Celtic areas today (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Galicia). Over the course of three millennia the Celts have influenced the development of world culture in a variety of ways. The rest of this book will touch on some Celtic contributions to society. In the process, it will be evident how the Celts shaped and are shaping world culture. I’d say that makes them a pretty big deal! 

 

            One could write an entire book about the Celts’ influence. I will content myself to highlight one event in Celtic history that highlights many characteristics of the Celtic people. The Celtic occupation of Rome is instructive in many ways. It tells us much about the character of the Celts and their sense of honor and justice. Anyway, here it is in a nutshell.

In essence, a Celtic tribe, the Senones, crossed the Apennines in search of new land to settle. They camped outside the Etruscan city of Clusium and petitioned the city leaders for such land. The Etrusans were suspicious of these strangers and asked Rome for assistance (Rome having recently conquered the Etruscians). The Romans responded by sending ambassadors to talk to the Celts. The talks broke down. Against all rules, the Roman ambassadors took up arms against the Celts and killed a Celtic chieftain. The Celts were outraged and sent ambassadors to Rome to protest.

Although some Romans felt an apology was in order, most were not so inclined (due to the influence of the families of the Fabii brothers…the ones who were the ambassadors sent to parlay between the Etruscians and Celts). This enraged the Celts. Thus, they decided to march on Rome. On the way, they did not harm anyone or take anything. They met the Roman army outside Rome and defeated it. They then occupied the city for several months until an apology was issued along with some tribute. They then left of their own accord.

One can find other accounts of this event but most of those accounts are by those who had reason to hate or fear the Celts. In those accounts, the Celts are depicted as savages. However, more neutral accounts indicate the Celts were quite civilized and had a high sense of honor and justice.

Now to the other side of the equation, this is a brief accounting of how the Romans treated the Celts in the ensuing centuries. One of the puzzling aspects of Celtic History is how they lost to the Romans. As noted above, at one point the Celts controlled much of Europe and even occupied Rome. Their weapons were superior to the Romans, their battle tactics superior…. so how did the Romans (over a few centuries) defeat the Celts so resoundingly?

Here are some of the reasons. Rome used a central government. They did not operate on an individual tribal level. The Celts did. Thus, the Romans (once a course of action was decided) did not quibble. The Celts did. A tribe might decide to give up on a military campaign and go home at any time. Not so, the Romans. If you decided to leave, you would be killed. Roman discipline is legendary. The Roman soldier was said to fear reprisal from his own ranks more so than any enemy. In my view, this was the primary reason the Romans had an advantage militarily over the Celts.

Also, the Romans adopted superior weapons whenever they encountered them (the Celtic helmet, shield, possibly the sword). They also adapted military tactics. Thus, the Celts advantages from these quarters were negated over time.

Julius Caesar, the person most responsible for decimating the Celts, used the Celts tribal nature to great advantage. He would offer to assist one tribe against another tribe they had a disagreement with. Once accepted, Caesar helped them defeat that tribe. However, he then attacked the tribe he had assisted. You might say Caesar took “divide and conquer” to its highest level.  For a more detailed account follow this link: http://www.historynet.com/empire-vs-tribe-the-roman-empire-and-the-celts…