Sep 24
Introduction Before the Roman’s entered Gaul, the Celtic tribes there were trading heavily among themselves and with related tribes in wider Europe, including Britain. The northern tribes were known to be more basic than their counterparts in the south. This is because the tribes in the south, even more in the south-east, had been trading …
Sep 24
The Celts and Celtic life Introduction Before looking at the Roman invasions, it is important to set the scene and get a picture of life in Britain in the first century BC, which was a time when the country was divided into regions, each occupied by a tribe. Britain was well into the Iron Age. …
Sep 24
The period before the Romans arrived in Britain is clouded by incomplete facts, conjecture and conflicting opinions. This is mainly due to the lack of recorded information available. The Celtic tribes of Britain did commit their history in written form as the Celtic language did not have any written form, only oral.
Sep 24
The Celtic Tradition History Of The Celts The Celts Part I: Their Origins & Pre-History by Nick Griffin, M.A. (Hons.), Cantab. “The whole nation is war-mad, both high-spirited and ready for battle, but otherwise simple, though not uncultured.” – Strabo, 1st century C.E. geographer “Golden is their hair and golden their garb. They are resplendent …
Sep 24
The Celts (Greek ‘Keltoi’) were an Indo-European people originating in the Alps. Their first known territory was in Central Europe around 1200 BC in the upper Danube, the Alps and parts of France and southern Germany.
Sep 24
Roman References Ninth Legion activity in England Cerialis and Agricola – Roman political background to the conquest of the Brigantes Maps of Roman forts covering Southern and Northern Britain, Wales and Scotland. Maps of Hadrians Wall, Antonine Wall and Gask Ridge Maps of North and South Gaul. The Roman army in Britain. Gazeteer of Roman …
Sep 24
Glossary of Technical Terms antefix a specially shaped imbrex fixed at the roof edge which presented a ‘face’,often with a moulded decoration, to the observer on the ground barnacle bit a toothed bit used for curbing horses. Barcariorum: The name of a unit that indicates they used barcae, 3rd century lighters or barges, possibly used …
Sep 24
Glossary of Latin (Roman) terms ala a cavalry unit usually at this period about 500 strong divided into squadrons(turmae) and commanded by a praefectus. amphora a large pottery container for transporting commodities wine, oil, fish sauce (garum) etc. to distant parts of the empire. It became a unit of liquid measure. aquila the eagle standard …
Sep 23
The Trinovantes Background to the Trinovantes Location of the tribe Essex and part of Suffolk. Background information It is possible that the Trinovantes were one of only two British tribes knew of Caesar’s intentions to cross the channel to Britain and so sent out ambassadors to the Romans in Gaul in an attempt to ensure …
Sep 23
Silures Tacitus describes the Silures as a strong and warlike tribe, stubborn, with swarthy faces and curly hair. They inhabited the wooded uplands of southeastern Wales, living in hillforts and fortified settlements, and were Rome’s most determined opponents. That resistance was led by Caratacus, a British chieftan who had sought refuge with the Silures after …
