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    Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology
    Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology
    Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology
    Ebook97 pages1 hour

    Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology

    By Fiona Macdonald

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    About this ebook

    Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology' is a collection of classic myths from all over the Celtic world: from Scotland to Ireland to the Isle of Man to Wales and all the way to Brittany. These stories tell of the pride of warriors, the magic of gods and wars between clans. They tell of savage beasts and deadly chariots, of love lost and found, and of friendship and loyalty. An historical introduction explains who the Celts were, describing their beliefs and customs, and a 'Finding out more' section provides you with the tools you need to discover even more about this increidble civilisation and their beliefs.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSalariya
    Release dateFeb 21, 2012
    ISBN9781908759832
    Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology

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      Book preview

      Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Celtic Mythology - Fiona Macdonald

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      Introduction: Magic Kingdoms

      Prepare to enter a land full of adventure, magic and mystery.

      The Celtic world was an enchanted place, where gods fought demons and monsters, birds and animals talked to humans, and men and women travelled through time or visited magic kingdoms. Every rock and tree and river was alive with its own good, or evil, spirit. Nothing was what it seemed to be; the gods, and human heroes, loved trickery and disguises. The Celtic world thrilled and shivered with promise, possibility, love – and danger.

      This book contains a collection of Celtic myths and legends from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, the Isle of Man, and Brittany in north-western France. Like traditional stories from other lands, they have all been told countless times before in many different ways. They have also inspired great music and paintings, provided plots for writers and film-makers, and been turned into fantasy re-enactments, comic books, and computer games.

      Try retelling your favourite story from this book in your own words, or use it to help you make your own magic creation!

      Who were the Celts?

      The Celts lived in northern Europe from around 800 BC to AD 400. They belonged to many different tribes and nations, but they all spoke closely related languages and shared a similar way of life. They believed in the same family of gods and nature-spirits, honoured brave, reckless heroes, and followed proud warrior kings and queens who claimed religious and magical powers.

      Most Celtic families made a living as farmers. They were free and independent but owed loyalty to their clan chief and high king. There were also Celtic traders and craft-workers living in fortress towns, and thousands of Celtic slaves.

      Celtic kings and chiefs were rich enough to ride fine horses and chariots, and wear weapons and jewellery decorated with swirling, magical designs. They had druids (priests) to say prayers and make sacrifices, linking everyday Celtic life with the dreamy, dangerous Otherworld of gods and spirits. They paid bards (poets and music-makers) to sing the praises of heroes and record each tribe’s history, myths and legends.

      ‘Being Celtic’ meant taking part in this rich civilisation. The Celts were not an ethnic group, but rather peoples with a shared lifestyle. They were descended from the first farmers in northern Europe, who began planting crops and rearing animals around 4000 BC. New DNA evidence links some Celts to hunters and gatherers who arrived in northern Europe at the end of the last Ice Age, over 10,000 years ago.

      Celtic civilisation developed slowly from around 1500 BC, when craft-workers learned how to make armour and helmets from bronze (a mixture of copper and tin, which were traded long-distance by prehistoric peoples).

      By around 800 BC, their descendants had found out how to make weapons and tools from harder, stronger iron. They also built heavy, horse-drawn wagons, buried their leaders with splendid treasures, and created their first art in a typically Celtic style.

      Celtic peoples were most powerful from around 500 BC. By then, they were making better weapons and finer metalwork, and building fast, light chariots for warriors to ride into battle. After around 200 BC, Celtic lands were attacked by Roman armies and German tribes. By AD 100 the Celts had almost all been defeated. But Celtic culture survived in remote parts of Europe, such as Ireland and Brittany, for another 1,000 years.

      Timeline of Celtic peoples

      c. 10,000–8000 BC

      Hunter-gatherers move into northern Europe at the end of the last Ice age.

      c. 4000 BC

      First farmers in northern Europe.

      c. 3000–1000 BC

      Farming kings and communities build huge stone circles and tombs.

      c. 1500–800 BC

      Bronze Age – skilled craft-workers make bronze armour and weapons.

      c. 800–500 BC

      Hallstatt Era – first clearly Celtic culture: rich kings and queens, iron weapons, jewellery, international trade.

      c. 500–200 BC

      La Tène era – peak of Celtic power. Warriors drive fast chariots; Celts attack rich neighbouring lands; many fine crafts.

      c. 200–AD 100

      Celtic lands invaded and almost completely conquered by Roman and German tribes.

      c. AD 500–1000

      Most Celts become Christians, but artists working for the Church preserve and continue Celtic traditions. Writers in Celtic lands collect and preserve old Celtic myths and legends.

      How do we know?

      Celtic peoples did not read and write or keep written records. But we know about their lives, ideas and beliefs from three very different sources.

      Buried treasures

      The Celts believed in life after death, so they buried men, women and children with goods that they might need for their new life in the Otherworld. The graves of rich people tell us the most, but even poor graves can be revealing. Rich kings and queens were laid to rest with their weapons, jewellery, horses, chariots, and drinking cups, ready for fighting and feasting. Many were also buried with huge cauldrons – for mixing wine, and for magic or religious rituals.

      Poor peoples’ graves hold few treasures, but important information. For example, children were sometimes buried with shoes several sizes too big; this tells us that their parents must have expected them to go on growing in the Otherworld. Some old women, who were probably believed to have been witches, had their jawbones removed before burial, possibly to stop them casting spells or making curses.

      Enemy observers

      From around 500 BC, the Celts traded and fought against Greeks and Romans, who could read and write. Greek and Roman authors have left eye-witness descriptions of Celtic people, but these have to be read with caution. For example, the Greeks were the first to record a name for the Celts – Keltoi – though we don’t know if

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