Ch.3 - the iron age Flashcards
Who began using iron scythes and axes?
The celts in 650 bc
How do we know so much about the celts?
Written sources from greeks and romans
What was ogham?
Its a basic type of alphabet where the celts cut a series of notches into the edge of a standing stone
What did Celtic men wear in winter?
Woollen trousers-bracae and boots of soft leather and a woolen tunic with long sleeves. When it was very cold they wore heavy woollen cloaks
What did Celtic men wear in summer?
Woollen trousers called bracae and leather boots with a sleeveless shirt tied around the waist with a belt or clip (they were fined if their stomachs stuck out)
What did the Celtic women wear?
They wore long woollen dresses fastened around the waist with a belt or buckle with a shawl or heavy cloak and leather boots or sandals
How did the Celts die their clothes?
With berries and plants
How did the Celtic men die their hair blonde?
By washing their hair in water mixed with lime
Hat was a torc?
A type of Celtic necklace made of gold or silver decorated with patterns of flowers or spirals?
How did the Celts make glass and what was it used for?
By mixing powdered copper and other minerals with the glass and then while it was still in liquid form turned it into beads for bracelets and brooches
What was the order of each tuath (kingdom)?
- )Rí -king
- )Derbhfine- royal family
- )tánaiste - successor (next in line)
- )Nobles- landowners, warriors and the aos dána (skilled people)
- ) labourers and slaves
What is fosterage?
When nobles sent their sons to be trained and brought up by other families until they were 14
Who were Celtic warriors?
They were trained men that protected the tuath, hunter animals and led cattle raids against other tribes.
Who were members of the aos dána?
The brehons(judges), druids (priests), filí (poets) and craftsmen.
What did the brehons do?
They settled disputes between people and remembered the ancient brehon laws. Anyone who broke the law was fined with cattle usually
What did the druid do?
They came from a noble family and they Performed ceremonies during Celtic festivals and talked about the gods to people. They had to do up to 20 years of training. They offered sacrifices to the gods.
What did the filí do?
They trained for 20 years, learned the history and legends of the Celts through poetry. Bards were also employed by nobles to praise him and his family.
What were craftsmen?
Carpenters and metalworkers
What did women do in the Celtic society?
They cooked, made clothes and brought up kids.
What different types of houses did the Celts have?
- ) rath/ringfort
- ) crannóg
- ) hillfort
Describe a rath/ringfort
A circular area on a hill with a timber wall surrounding it. Houses were built inside from wattle and daub. Many had underground passages that were lined with stones (storage of food or refuge in attach).
What were crannógs?
Dwellings built on man made island on lakes. The island would be made by throwing stones, rocks, mud and wood into the lake. The houses were reached by a boat or wooden bridge
How were hill forts made?
They were raths built on top of hills or cliff sides.
Ow was a celts wealth shown?
By the amount of cattle they owned
