Ch.3 - the iron age

Question 1

Who began using iron scythes and axes?

Answer 1

The celts in 650 bc

Question 2

How do we know so much about the celts?

Answer 2

Written sources from greeks and romans

Question 3

What was ogham?

Answer 3

Its a basic type of alphabet where the celts cut a series of notches into the edge of a standing stone

Question 4

What did Celtic men wear in winter?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What did Celtic men wear in summer?

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

What did the Celtic women wear?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

How did the Celts die their clothes?

Answer 7

With berries and plants

Question 8

How did the Celtic men die their hair blonde?

Answer 8

By washing their hair in water mixed with lime

Question 9

Hat was a torc?

Answer 9

A type of Celtic necklace made of gold or silver decorated with patterns of flowers or spirals?

Question 10

How did the Celts make glass and what was it used for?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What was the order of each tuath (kingdom)?

Answer 11

1. )Rí -king
2. )Derbhfine- royal family
3. )tánaiste - successor (next in line)
4. )Nobles- landowners, warriors and the aos dána (skilled people)
5. ) labourers and slaves

Question 12

What is fosterage?

Answer 12

When nobles sent their sons to be trained and brought up by other families until they were 14

Question 13

Who were Celtic warriors?

Answer 13

They were trained men that protected the tuath, hunter animals and led cattle raids against other tribes.

Question 14

Who were members of the aos dána?

Answer 14

The brehons(judges), druids (priests), filí (poets) and craftsmen.

Question 15

What did the brehons do?

Answer 15

They settled disputes between people and remembered the ancient brehon laws. Anyone who broke the law was fined with cattle usually

Question 16

What did the druid do?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What did the filí do?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

What were craftsmen?

Answer 18

Carpenters and metalworkers

Question 19

What did women do in the Celtic society?

Answer 19

They cooked, made clothes and brought up kids.

Question 20

What different types of houses did the Celts have?

Answer 20

1. ) rath/ringfort
2. ) crannóg
3. ) hillfort

Question 21

Describe a rath/ringfort

Answer 21

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).

Question 22

What were crannógs?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

How were hill forts made?

Answer 23

They were raths built on top of hills or cliff sides.

Question 24

Ow was a celts wealth shown?

Answer 24

By the amount of cattle they owned

Question 25

What were Celtic pastimes?

Answer 25

There were boardgames like brandubh and ficheall and they also played báire.

Question 26

Name four Celtic gods

Answer 26

The daghda - god of afterlife and most important god
Boann- wife of daghda
Lug- god of warriors
Manannán mac lir- sea god

Question 27

Name the four Celtic festivals throughout the year

Answer 27

1. ) Samhain
2. ) imbolc
3. ) bealtaine
4. ) lughnasa

Question 28

Describe samhain

Answer 28

Most important festival. Marked beginning of new year. 1 November. Day of magical happenings

Question 29

Describe imbolc

Answer 29

1 February. Represents end of winter and beginning of growth

Question 30

Describe bealtaine

Answer 30

Bonfires lit sacrifices made in hope of good harvest. Druids drove cattle in between two fires before sent out to pasture to protect against disease

Question 31

Describe lughnasa

Answer 31

1 August just before harvest lifted in hope that harvest would be good and last until winter.

Question 32

What did druids believe?

Answer 32

That nature was magical and oak trees were special. Herbs were gathered for potions to heal

Question 33

How did the Celts bury the dead?

Answer 33

They cremated them and put their ashes in an urn in a pit or cist grave covered by one stone slab. Grave goods were put in too.