preview

Celtic Civilization Research Paper

Decent Essays

There are many misconceptions regarding the origins of Celtic civilization. One is the Celts were undisciplined raiders throughout all Europe until finally crashing into the Erie Isle. Another is the Celts were an irrational people easily manipulated by witchcraft and the belief in magic. Nothing could be more further from the truth. From Herodotus, to Plato, to Aristotle, to the Caesars of Rome ─ written histories of ancient times evidence that the original Celtic civilization was one of the greatest original societies of all time. Written histories of the Celts first appear in fragments of texts dating to fifth century B.C.E. Herodotus wrote of the Celts as a large civilization “dwelling beyond the Pillars of Hercules and into the fertile …show more content…

These extraordinary leaders were the Druids. Prehistoric rituals evolved into a “pagan” religion and a set of social laws (Kristiansen). Through the Druids, these laws eventually came to be known as the Gaelic Feinechus (Ginnell). Heavily entwined with nature, Celtic society and Celtic Law gave respect to the land, and to the individual. Throughout the changing centuries the Druids interpreted and maintained the strength of the Gaelic Feinechus (Id.). They were the keepers of the law ─ and the keepers of all Celtic history.
Throughout these ancient times, the laws and histories of the Celts were held in the memories of individual Druid “priests.” The truths of their discoveries about the world and the exact foundations of Celtic Law were repeated before all the Celtic clans in biannual “sacred fire” gatherings called the Samhain and Beltane (Eluère). Exclaimed through song and poetry, the people learned from whence they came and exactly who they were (Kristiansen). Through such perpetual sharing, the Druids were revered ― their power never feared ― for all Celts grew stronger through such common …show more content…

 Love virtue ─ for it bringeth peace.
 Abhor vice ─ for it bringeth evil upon all.
 Obey those in authority in all just things ─ so that virtue may be exalted.
 Cultivate the social virtues ─ so shalt thou be beloved by all men.
Most of the ancient European continental laws have a common origin traceable to the early Celtic laws (de Jubainville). The ancient Celts lived in extreme geographical isolation throughout much of their early history. As such, their laws can be studied for their uninfluenced qualities ─ free from changes by Roman law, which later spread throughout all Europe during the rule of the Roman Empire (Id.).
In Celtic society a judge was called a Brehon. The brehons had absolute power in the interpretation of the laws, as well as the specific application of law to individual cases (Ginnell). The brehons were therefore a very influential class. Those attached to clan chiefs, had free lands for their maintenance ― which, like the profession itself, remained in the same family for generations. Those not so attached, lived simply on the fees of their profession, with many eminent brehons becoming somewhat wealthy

Get Access