Seven Celtic Nations
The Celtics were a group of people first originating in Germany and eastern France in the 2nd millennium BC.
They spread throughout Europe and for a long time occupied the territory of Gaul which is roughly the modern territory of France and Belgium. This tribe spoke an indo-European dialect. They travelled as far as the British Isles mounted on horses and armed with iron weapons.
They were at their peak of dominance across Europe during the Iron Age. Their culture flourished and art became popular with the influence of Greece. The Celtic social system comprised a warrior aristocracy and freemen farmers; Druids, with magi co-religious duties, ranked higher than warriors. They had a mixed farming economy. Their oral literary composition was highly developed, they manufactured gold and silver jewelry, swords and scabbards, and shields inlaid with enamel.
However, their dominance fell when first German tribes and then the Romans battled them and took over their territory. Little is known of Celtic history from this period to the 20th century. Today there are specific regions in Europe which still hold a strong Celtic culture: Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Brittany in France.
