The French History Podcast 6 – The Celts
Feb 2, 2019
Explore the rich cultural tapestry of the Celts, challenging misconceptions about them as barbarians. Learn about their advanced technology, social structures, and unique oral tradition. Discover the ferocity and tactics of Celtic warriors in battle, and the clash of Celtic and Roman cultures with lasting consequences.
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Celts Are A Loose Cultural Group
- The Celts were a broad grouping of diverse tribes sharing language and some culture rather than a single unified people.
- Greco-Roman writers lumped many distinct northern peoples as “Celts,” creating a misleading stereotype.
Oppida Were Urban Trade Hubs
- Celtic societies built hill forts and later oppida that functioned as fortified trading towns along major rivers.
- These settlements supported complex trade networks and rivaled classical city-states in organization.
Early Metalwork And Road Networks
- Celts mastered bronze and then iron working early, giving them military and economic advantages.
- They built extensive wooden roads linking communities across Europe north of the Alps.