The Celtic Britons were the indigenous people of Britain before the Roman conquest. They were part of the wider Celtic cultural and linguistic group that spread across much of Europe during the Iron Age. The Britons spoke a form of Celtic known as Brythonic or Brittonic, which later evolved into languages such as Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. Their society was organized into various tribes, each with its own leaders and territories, and their way of life was deeply connected to the land, warfare, and spirituality.

Origins and Early History

The Celts originated from Central Europe, particularly in the Hallstatt and La Tène cultural periods (circa 1200 BCE–500 BCE). Around the 6th century BCE, Celtic tribes migrated westward, settling in the British Isles. By the time of their arrival in Britain, the Celts had already developed a rich culture characterized by advanced metalworking, warrior traditions, and complex social structures.

Society and Culture

Celtic society was hierarchical, with a ruling warrior aristocracy, druids (who served as priests, scholars, and legal experts), and common farmers and artisans. Unlike the centralized governments of the Romans or Greeks, Celtic Britain was divided into tribal kingdoms, often engaging in alliances or conflicts with each other. The druids played a crucial role in maintaining traditions, religious rites, and the oral transmission of knowledge, as there was little reliance on written records.

Religion and Beliefs

The Britons worshipped a pantheon of deities, often associated with natural features like rivers, trees, and mountains. Rituals included sacrifices, offerings, and elaborate ceremonies held in sacred groves. The druids, as the spiritual leaders, held significant influence over both religious and political affairs. They believed in an afterlife, and archaeological evidence suggests that burial practices included grave goods, possibly to accompany the deceased into the next world. shutdown123