Celtic History (p.4)

A few weeks ago I began a series of articles that dealt with the history of the Celts and their rise from and obscure group of “savages” to one of the most popular and recognizable historic civilizations in the modern world. If you have not read my previous articles, I would strongly suggest you do so, as they are written chronologically and the following will make little sense if not read in order (Celtic History -part 3, Celtic History - part 2, Celtic History - part 1).

After Britain was invaded by the Romans and their defenses set up, the Celtic tribes were faced with the Roman threat individually, as the Roman faced only one at a time. The Celtic land was taken a piece at a time, but the Romans only succeed in conquering up to the area now known as Aberdeen. Around the time that this was happening Julius Caesar declared that Britain was root of all Druids, who were and declared an enemy of the empire, and therefore action must be taken to eradicate them.

Julius Caesar ordered an attack on the island of Mona, which was the initiation and training ground of the druids, and in its place spread Roman beliefs and traditions. The attack succeeded, but the Romans were faced with an incredible defense consisting of enraged Celtics warriors, druids and even woman.

The Celtic Druid temples were completely destroyed and the druids themselves killed.

As news of this attack traveled through Britain, great anger against the Roman began to form and in part led to the uprising which would happen in the same year.

In 61AD the King of a Celtic area called Iceni died, during his reign he had made a deal with the Roman Emperor Nero, saying that they both owned Iceni. The deal was made by the King of the Iceni to protect his family and the Celtic people living on the land. Unfortunately after his death, the deal was not kept and the Queen of the Iceni and her daughters were tortured and driven from their land along with the Celtic inhibiting the land. She traveled through Britain, spreading her story, and harboring the growing anger and resentment against the Romans.

This coupled with the destruction of the Druid temples in the anger of the Celtic people, and an uprising lead by Boudicca began. The uprising was initially successful, with many Roman towns falling to the Celtic warriors. When the Celtic uprising became a serious threat to the Roman Empire, Caesar mustered 10,000 troops to defeat the Celtic. The battle between the roman soldiers and the Celtic warriors happened at what is now known as Warwickshire in 61AD. The Celtic were outnumbered and outmatched, being seriously beaten by the Romans, although in the process the Romans took heavy causalities at the hands of the fighting Celtic. Boudicca took poison near the end of the battle, and her body was hidden. Although the battle was lost for the Celtic and their uprising quashed, a long peace transpired, allowing the Celtic to once more enjoy peace.

The history of the Celtic people seems to happen in steps, or as I said last time, chapters. I will end here for now, and continue next time, to begin again at the end of the peace the Boudicca and her Celtic warriors fought and fell for