The Celtic Con
How many times have people like me revelled in the use of the hallowed Ethno-Cultural description- Celtic, yes that description defining any cultural theme emanating from the British Isles and Ireland. Celtic people, Celtic symbols, Celtic music, Celtic style..wonderful, a thing of pride but what really is the truth of the origin of the terms. Well prepare to be shocked!
The first time the word Celt was used was by Herodotus in reference to the people native to the North of the Danube- which as I'm sure you're aware ain't Britain- at least I hope you know. The Roman name for the said persons being "Galli" (The Chicken people- interesting!). The natives of the British Isles were first described by the Romans- as "Britanni" and never as Celts.
A Welsh linguist Edward Lluyd in the 17th century, noted the similarities in the language of the people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany and nicknamed the common language Celtic.
The simple fact is that the first Celtic ceremony was a spoof ceremony in Primrose Hill in 1792, by a group of Bards (modern day translation- Actors/Musicians), involving a circle of Pebbles, claiming to revive a ritual originating from the Celtic nation and its Druids.
Well thats its then, my whole romantic Celtic dream dashed, the whole concept being the fabrication of ancient luvvies and musicians, well there you have it.
Reference text- The Book of General Ignorance. I shall of course be burning the damned book
The first time the word Celt was used was by Herodotus in reference to the people native to the North of the Danube- which as I'm sure you're aware ain't Britain- at least I hope you know. The Roman name for the said persons being "Galli" (The Chicken people- interesting!). The natives of the British Isles were first described by the Romans- as "Britanni" and never as Celts.
A Welsh linguist Edward Lluyd in the 17th century, noted the similarities in the language of the people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany and nicknamed the common language Celtic.
The simple fact is that the first Celtic ceremony was a spoof ceremony in Primrose Hill in 1792, by a group of Bards (modern day translation- Actors/Musicians), involving a circle of Pebbles, claiming to revive a ritual originating from the Celtic nation and its Druids.
Well thats its then, my whole romantic Celtic dream dashed, the whole concept being the fabrication of ancient luvvies and musicians, well there you have it.
Reference text- The Book of General Ignorance. I shall of course be burning the damned book
posted by Seal67 at 6:21 am
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