The Ancient Celts
Barry Cunliffe
ISBN 0-19-969051-0 Oxford University Press
Drawing heavily from archaeological and written evidence this
book paints a picture of what went into forming what we now
see as Celtic Culture. Barry Cunliffe is the Professor of Archaeology
at Oxford University and the author of a number of books, including
The World of the Celts.Visions of the Celts
This Chapter deals with how the Celts have been viewed through
the eyes of other cultures, from the Graeco-Roman, through the
'Celtomania' of the 18th and 19th Centuries, to the modern viewpoints.
The Reality of the Celts
After addressing the views coloured by cultural bias, Cunliffe
begins to use a great deal of archaeological evidence to back
up some of the classical claims to provide a clearer image of
the reality.
Barbarian Empire and the Mediterranean 1300-400 BC
Outlines the factors such as trade with, and the influence of,
richer southern cultures that began to define aspects of Celtic
Culture.
The Migrations 400-200 BC
Shows the movement that many European peoples underwent during
this period of apparent greater mobility, and how this brought
them into conflict with the Mediterranean peoples. Also shows
how Celtic mercenaries fought in Ptolomic Egypt, and Hannibals
Carthaginians as part of this mass movement.
Warfare and Society
Shows how important warfare and the role of the fighting
elite was in Celtic Society and its Culture.
The Arts of the Migration Period
With a large collection of colour and B/W photographs this
section demonstrates the artistic techniques that spread out
and helped to define the areas of celtic influence.
Iberia and the Celtiberians
This is an interesting section, as the Celtiberians are
often ignored by modern researchers. Although the Celtiberians
had marked differences in such things as art fro the 'standard'
La Tene Celtic work, the language and many aspects of society
and its structure are purely Celtic.
The Communities of the Atlantic Facade
This Chapter deals with the main group of peoples who are,
for the most part, still seen as Celtic. Cunliffe cites classical
references coupled with archaeological evidence
The Communities of the Eastern Fringes
On the other side of Europe, Celtic peoples expanded during
the Migration Period to form a Celtic Fringe that stretched
from Russia to the Mediterranean.
Religious Systems
Details some of the beliefs of the Celts and the role played
by Druids within their society.
The Developed Celtic World
Paints a picture of the greatest period of Celtic influence
drawing heavily from classical references, backed up by archaeological
research.
The Celts in Retreat
Shows the reverse of Celtic influence after its 'Golden
Age', and how the Celts eventually became a culture on the fringe
of western Europe following the expansion of the Roman Empire.
Celtic Survival
This Chapter deals with the survival of Celtic Cultures
at the end of the Roman period and the beginning of the early
Middle Ages.
Retrospect
Cunliffe draws the work to a conclusion with a brief summary
thatreiterates the main points.
Reviewed by J. Craig Melia - 2000