The Celts

The Celts were a tribe of people from the Iron Age who lived all over Europe about two thousand years ago. The first tribes of Celts were located in Spain, France, northern Italy, and as far as Russia.

Around 500 BCE, the ancient Celts migrated and settled in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.

They lived in small farming communities and never built cities. That's why they never managed to create an empire like the Romans. 

The Celts were proud and honorable, they loved music and it is believed that they invented soap. They also loved to make up stories, especially stories about fairies, elves, and leprechauns. They wore gold and loved to fight and drink wine. 

The Celts often fought naked - and it's believed that women would fight as well. Their main weapons were the sword and spear.

Living among the Celts were the druids.  They were the Celts' priests, responsible for all sorts of religious ceremonies. They were educated and powerful members of the tribe and were well respected by the other Celts. They sacrificed food, precious objects, and even people to their gods and goddesses. 

Even though the Celts were proud, brave and skilled fighters, they were rather undisciplined. They really had little chance against the Romans' order and power. And in the end they were defeated by the Romans.

The Romans came to Britain looking for riches - land, slaves, metals and gold. They took over the Celts' land and built towns. They built strong forts linked to a good road system. Ports and harbours were also important places for the Romans to bring in food and materials. 

After 400 years the Romans left Britain as their empire was coming to an end. In Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany, Celtic peoples survived.

Their culture lives on today in music, dance and traditional stories.