Chapter 3 : The Iron Age and the arrival of the Celts Flashcards
Ogham
A basic type of alphabet which they cut notches into a tall stone bottom to top surname of dead
Most common thing to make with
Iron
What they look like
Men
Fined if bellies stuck out from belts, bracae woollen trousers, boots, summer tshirt, winter woollen tunics tops or heavy woollen cloaks
Women
Long woollen dresses leather belt, winter shawl or heavy cloak, boots or sandals
Dyed clothes with berries
Men’s hair
Dyed blonde with lime, spiked back,
Arts and crafts
Large brooches and pins, preferred gold, gold stretched and woven, rich people wore gold or sliver torcs that were decorated
Society
Rí (king)
Dearbhfine (Royal family)
Tanaiste (successor)
Nobles (aos Dana, warriors, landowners)
Foster age
Nobles send children to other families till 14 to be brought up and trained
Warriors
Trained fighters Protected tuath Hunted wild animals led cattle raids other tribes Tell stories about bravery, hunting skills and victories in battle Feasts held to celebrate Bravest got best piece of meat which was fought over Kept head of opponents as a trophy
Women
Made food, clothes brought up children noble women owned property some became warriors
Settlements
Rath ringfort crannogs hillfort cashel
Rath and ringfort cashel
Nobles large farmers, circular area raised bank timber wall ditch below, cashel made of stone, houses within, underground passages souterrains lined with stones used as fridges storage for valuables place as refuge
Crannogs
Man made Islands in lakes, means young tree, saplings for walls, stones, rocks, mud, pieces of wood into water to make it rise, similar to raths, reached by wooden bridge
Hillfort
Raths on on hills, view on hills,
Promontory fort
Hillforts on cliff top locations on headlands,
Food
Grew crops kept animals, bones of pig sheep horses found at Celtic sites, wheat barley oats were grown, cabbage carrots turnips berries fruit
Pastimes
Brandubh and ficheall was draughts and chess, báire is hurling where ball is drawn into hole in ground instead of between nets, golf may owe some origins to báire
Religion
Believed that gods were in mountains, forests, wells, sacred walls,
Druid
VIP, pagan preists, explaining work and actions of god to people, noble families, spent up to 20 years training, main task learn sacred teachings of those that went before them, offered sacrifices to god during festivals to thank god gods for good harvest or mild winter, animals and humans killed, threw weapons or bronze and gold objects into wells or lakes to please gods, in charge of conducting ceremonies at Celtic festivals
Daghda
God of afterlife, most important god, husband of goddess Boann.
Lug
God of warriors
Manannán Mac Lir
Sea god
Samhain
1 November, beginning of new year, not past year or new year, day of magical happenings, lives could meet spirits of dead, animals brought in, if not needed for breeding they were killed
Imbolc
1 February, end of winter beginning of new growth
Bealtaine
Second most important, bonfires were lit, sacrifices were made in hope of good harvest, Druids drove cows in between two fires before pasture believed as a protection of disease
Lughnasa
Last major Celtic festival, 1 august, before harvest was lifted, hoped harvest would be plentiful good amount for winter
Nature
Druids believed it was special, considered forests to be sacred places, oak trees were special, Druids gathered herbs and prepared them into potions given as cures to sick people and animals
Christianity
Declined amount of Druids, kings were pleased they believed Druids had too much power
Burial
Burnt dead, put in urn then into pit or cist grave covered with stones slab, grave goods food drink jewellery weapons
