Celts

**Wijitmaker** · November 7, 2004

Hello and welcome to the Celts section of the 0 AD history archive. We hope you enjoy reading our articles.

The Celts first appear in history around 600 B.C., already divided in different cultures. It remains a mystery exactly how the Celts just suddenly showed up in much of Central and Western Europe as they did. In 0 AD, we will be focusing on the Gallic and Brythonic Celts, the best known of the Celtic tribes of France and Britain respectively. While the Gallic Celts at least left behind a system of writing and inscriptions much of it is still undecipherable. The majority of modern Celtic knowledge comes from archeological work. We know that much of Celtic culture revolved around warfare. However, this does not mean the Celts lacked a peaceful side. Celtic society differed in many ways from the Mediterranean societies they neighbored, many facets of which shocked said neighbors. The Romans, the most dangerous enemy of all, first encountered the Celts early in their history. It would be the sack of Rome in 387 B.C. by the Gallic Senones under Brennos that fueled the bitter feelings towards the Celts by the Romans. Eventually Rome struck back when the republic began to expand into Gaul in 121. However, the final payback occurred when the Roman war effort against the Gallic Celts was given over to a rising star, Julius Caesar in 58 B.C. Caesar would be the death knell of Celtic Gaul, though to the credit of the Gallic Celts it would take until 52 to fully conquer Gaul. In 55 and 54 B.C., Caesar invaded Britain, the fabled Tin Islands, and fought a short campaign there. Later Claudius launched another Roman invasion in 43 AD. This invasion would lead to the eventual subjugation of much of Britain with Caledonia and Ireland being major exceptions. However, the Celtic influence in Gaul and Britannia would continue to be felt long afterwards.

In 0 AD the Celts have many bonuses to match to their historic strengths. These bonuses are:

Faster Training: Celtic parents often sent their children out early to train in youth bands. To reflect this early training Celtic units are produced faster.

Iron Plows: The Celts invented the iron plow, to reflect this the Celts have better agriculture.

Diaoblo Instinctu: Among the Brythonic Celts it was a common practice to paint themselves. To reflect this Celtic units will have increased attack and movement stats.

Vae Victis: Said by Brennos at the sack of Rome. Celts get ore or food from every structure destroyed or captured.

The Celts, like every other civilization in the game has its fair share of heroes, they are:

Britomartus: Gallic chieftain, most famous for being slain by Marcus Marcellus.

Brennos: Gallic Chieftain, most famous for the sack of Rome in 390 B.C.

Vercingetorix: The most famous Gaul of all, led the last resistance to Caesar.

Caradoc: The first British statesman, friendly with Rome later on.

Cunobelinus: Brythonic warrior king, led a great revolt against Rome.

Boudicca: The Warrior Queen of the Iceni, led one of the last great revolts against Rome in Britain.

In conclusion, the Celts were a major people in the timeline of 0 AD. Even though much information on the Celts is not well understood or largely conjecture their culture has left a large impact on the lands they settled in.

5th Century BC

Overview of the Celts

3rd Century BC

Celts on the Balkans and in Asia Minor

1st Century BC

1st Century AD