The Celts/Iron Age

Question 0

Why do we know more about the Celts than any other early settlers in Ireland?

Answer 0

Ancient Greek and Roman writers and the written records of the early Christian monks in Ireland and archaeological evidence.

Question 1

When did the Celts come to Ireland?

Answer 1

500BC

Question 2

What did the Greeks and Romans call and describe them?

Answer 2

Greeks called the Celts Keltoi
The Romans called them Gauls
Plato wrote they were a warlike people who drank too much wine
Many Roman writers used the word excessive to describe the Celts appearance and dress as well as their attitude to religion and war

Question 3

What laws did the Celts go by?

Answer 3

Brehon law

Question 4

Who was in Celtic society?

Answer 4

1. The rí (who belonged to the derbhfine)
2. Warriors
3. Aos Dána
4. Farmers
5. Slaves

Question 5

Who was in the Aos Dána?

Answer 5

Judges (Brehons)
Druids (priests)
Doctors
Filí (poets)
Bards (musicians)
Craftspeople (smiths, carpenters, masons)

Question 6

What is a tuath?

Answer 6

A tuath is a small kingdom. Each one was ruled by a rí (king). There were over 150 in Ireland

Question 7

What status did women have in Celtic times?

Answer 7

Noble women held an important position in Celtic society, under Brehon law they could own property
however, most women did not belong to the noble classes and had little power or influence – they spent their time cooking, spinning, weaving and taking care of the children

Question 8

What kind of settlements were there in Celtic times?

Answer 8

1. Raths (sometimes called ringforts or cashels)
2. Crannógs
3. Hillforts
4. Promontory forts

Question 9

What is a rath?

Answer 9

Raths were forts enclosed by circular ditches or mounds of earth.
The for inside was usually built with wood but sometimes was built with stone. If it was built with stone it was called a cashel

Question 10

What is a crannóg?

Answer 10

Crannógs were man-made islands in lakes. They were linked to the main land using a wooden bridge or sometimes stepping stones. They were built with wood, mud, styones and twigs.

Question 11

What is a hillfort?

Answer 11

Hillforts were like raths but much bigger and built on a hill

Question 12

What is a promontory fort?

Answer 12

Promontory forts were built on cliff tops

Question 13

What animals did Celts have?

Answer 13

They had cattle, sheep and pigs

Question 14

Why were cattle so important to the Celts?

Answer 14

Wealth was measured by the amount of cattle you had

Question 15

What crops did Celts grow?

Answer 15

Barley, oats and wheat

Question 16

What were the crops used for in Celtic times?

Answer 16

Barley = to make ale
Oats = porridge
Wheat = made into flour to make bread

Question 17

What is a rotary quern stone?

Answer 17

Used to grind wheat to make flour

Question 18

How did the Celts cook meat?

Answer 18

On a spit or in a cauldron over a fire

Question 19

What did Celtic men wear?

Answer 19

Léine = a knee-length tunic tied at the waist with a crois

Question 20

What did Celtic women wear?

Answer 20

Ankle-length tunics

Question 21

What did Celts wear in winter?

Answer 21

They wore woollen cloaks called brats that were pinned at the shoulder with a gold or silver brooch

Question 22

Did Celts wear make-up and jewellry?

Answer 22

Yes men and women did

Question 23

Did Celts believe in an afterlife?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

What did druids wear and were they well respected?

Answer 24

The Druids were very well respected by the Celts

They wore white linen tunics when they performed religious ceremonies

Question 25

What did the Celts do with their dead?

Answer 25

They cremated them and buried the ashes in the ground

Question 26

What did the Celts look like?

Answer 26

According to legends they were tall, blonde and good looking