Download The Rise and Fall of La Tene Civilisation

La Tène
Civilisation
The Rise and Fall of a Celtic Civilisation c450BC100AD
La Tène, lac de Neuchâtel,
Switzerland.
The Formation of La Tène
The
new era takes its name from a famous
archaeological site in Switzerland. Once
again it is mainly finds from cemetaries
which provide us with an image of the first
Celts.
There are few written sources which
document this period of emergence
(c450BC), so we depend on archaeology.
The Formation of La Tène
Typical
of this new era is a different artistic
style, again subject to influences from the
Mediterranean.
This time however, this was not merely
imitation of Greek and Etruscan originals,
but gave rise to new creations with an
unmistakable and original art-style.
The Formation of La Tène
 Despite
evidence of some continuity in the
Hallstatt areas, there is considerable
evidence that the areas immediately to the
north (the cradle of La Tene culture) imported
specific kinds of item from the north of Italy,
items not found in the Hallstatt regions.
 This leads to the conclusion that a new trade
axis had been formed linking the Moselle
chieftains directly with the Etruscan cities of
northern Italy (c500-450BC).
The Formation of La Tène
By
the middle of the fifth century the
centre of innovation in western Europe
(Celtic Europe) had moved decisively
away from the Burgundy-S. Germany axis
(Hallstatt D), to the more northerly MarneMoselle-Bohemia arc where the new La
Tene culture flourished.
The Formation of La Tène
 The
spread of La Tene art styles throughout
Europe was a remarkable phenomenon.
 It could be argued that La Tene art was the
first truly pan-European art style.
 Its spread to the south and the east of the
Marne-Moselle region was accelerated by
folk movements.
 But its adoptionin the west and the north, as
far as Ireland and Scotland, is a far more
complex development.
The Formation of La Tène
It
has been suggested that knowledge of
La Tene art spread to Britain and Ireland
via Brittany (Armorica). Items found in
Britain can be compared with variations of
La Tene styles found in Brittany.
But there is also evidence that other parts
of Britain received their concepts of LT by
way of the southern North Sea area, which
would have impacted mainly on the East
Coast of Britain.
The Formation of La Tène
These
‘trade routes’ had already been
extensively used in the Bronze Age
period.
The origins of the La Tène style
The
first representations of this art are
found on brooches and clasps (fibulae),
and later on scabbardsm swords, helmets,
torques, knives, pottery, flagons, and
coins.
Wild life and imaginary animals are a
frequent motif. Winged animals. Animals
with human faces. Horses with human
faces, birds heads, animal heads.
The origins of the La Tène style
Numerous
attempts have been made to
interpret such objets in the light of what we
know about later Celtic religion.
Some of the ‘mask fibulae’ which had
human faces were buried for ritual
reasons.
But since most of this ‘new’ art seems not
to be a direct development of Hallstatt art
(eg the Hochdorf burial), what can be said
about their origins?
The origins of the La Tène style
Paul
Jacobsthal, one of the major scholars
in the field of Celtic art, was responsible
for developing the idea that, besides
having Etruscan roots, the formal Celtic
language of art, had other eastern
European origins belonging to the
Scythians and the Thracians, whose own
art had been influenced by the Persians
(Iranian art).
The origins of the La Tène style
In
Scythian culture, objects with animal
heads are frequently found.
From Kleinaspergle, one of the items
found, the depiction of rams’ heads on the
drinking horns is reminiscent of the
Scythian artifacts from southern Russia.
Perhaps the LT Celts did not have a welldeveloped trade system with peoples of
the east (as they had with the
Mediterranean peoples).
The origins of the La Tène style
But
certain objects given as diplomatic
gifts may have had a significant influence
upon the emerging Celtic art of the early
La Tene period.
All the evidence suggests that, at the level
of the ruling classes, there were indeed
contacts.
Differences between Hallstatt and La
Tene
Another
significant difference was the
prevalence of weapons in the La Tene
graves.
Many of the male deceased, not only the
elite, were accompanied by their swords
and spears, and occasionally their
helmets.
In the Hallstatt D graves, only knives (for
feasting and hunting) were generally
found.
Differences between Hallstatt and La
Tene
we
may speculate:
One possibility is that the communities to
the north of the Hallstatt regions had for
some time been occupied in raiding to
acquire slaves and other commodities
which they exchanged with the Hallstatt
elites.
Increasing demands for such commodities
would have exacerbated their warlike
tendencies.
Migrations of La Tène ‘Celts’.
Undoubtedly,
the period c500BC was a
time of upheaval, leading eventually to the
dominance of elites and specifically,
‘peoples’ whom we call La Tene Celts.
Within about one hundred years
(c400BC), we witness huge folkmovements, now reflected in the classical
writings of the Greeks, north of the Alps.
Migrations of La Tène ‘Celts’.
Celtic-speaking
peoples poured through
the Alpine passes, to conquer and raid
northern Italy. They will settle in the Po
Valley. With this major event, trade with
Etruria ends, and a more detailed history
of the Celts can begin.
At the same time, other Celtic ‘peoples’
went east along the Danube river valley,
and into the Balkans, and within a century
had reached Greece, and eventually
Anatolia (Turkey).
Migrations of La Tène ‘Celts’.
These
were undoubtedly La Tene Celts,
and probably most of the emigration came
from Marne- Moselle areas. Some of the
same tribal names are found there and in
eastern France and northern Italy.
However, the migrations may have come
from a variety of areas. In many cases the
archaeology cannot help.
Note that there is no suggestion of
migrations to Britain and Ireland.
La Tene Celts in France
Gaulish polities 1st century BC
Defining
‘Gaul’
Aeduan warriors
Bibracte (Mont-Beuvray)
Bibracte
Coins from Bibracte
The
Revolt by Vercingetorix
The beginning of the
end of the Continental
Iron Age (La Tène).
Caesar’s Invasion of Gaul,
58BC-51BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_Wars
The Revolt by Vercingetorix
 The
resistance of the Belgae in the north,
especially the courage of the Eburones,
under their leader Ambiorix, helped to
inspire the spirit of resistance which flared
up in the winter of 53-52BC.
 Events at Rome gave the Gauls further
reason to hope for success in destroying
or expelling the invaders, for tension was
growing between Caesar and Pompey.
Vercingetorix (*Wer-kingeto-riks)
‘Vercingetorix, summae potentiae
adulescens’-Caesar
ARVERNIAN COIN
The Revolt by Vercingetorix
 While
Caesar was wintering in northern
Italy, the whole of Gaul erupted in revolt,
trapping the legions in their camps, and
separating them from Caesar.
 Almost all the Gallic tribes rose up against
Rome, even, finally, the pro-Roman
people the Aedui would put their Gallic
identity first.
The surrender by Vercingetorix
52BC at Alesia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alesia
The devotio of Vercingetorix
Lionel
Royer
1852-1926
The devotio of Vercingetorix

Then, climbing down from his horse, he took the
ornements from his horse, and undid his own
armour and threw them to the ground,
whereapon he sat down at the feet of Caesar
without uttering a word.
 Much of this seems consistent with the warrior
rituals of Celtic religion. The best armour and
weapons, he is with his horse, the encirling of
Caesar on the right side-
The Revolt by Vercingetorix

Plutarch recorded that a million men died during
the Gallic wars, and another million were
enslaved.
 Caesar gives the impression that he left Gaul at
peace, but it was at a huge human cost. The
land was devastated and stripped of its gold
(from sanctauries and shrines). All this financed
Caesar’s bid for power at Rome until fate caught
up with him in 44BC, when he was assasinated.
The Druids in La Tene
Civilisation
The Druids
.
Julius Caesar: De Bello Gallico





Natio est omnis Gallorum admodum dedita
religionibus
In all of Gaul, there are two classes of men who
are of some rank and honour.
The first of these are the druids and second the
warrior class.
The druids intervene in divine matters. They look
after public and private sacrifices, they interpret
religious matters
Young men ‘rush’ to them for instruction for the
druids have great honour amongst them.
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico c
50-44BC
 They
settle all public and private disputes
(judges in trials), and if some crime has
been committed, or if a slaying has taken
place, or if it concerns an inheritance or a
border dispute, the same druides (druids)
decide.
 They settle the compensation and the
punishment.
 If someone does not yield to these
decisions they are prohibited from
sacrifices. (a very serious punishment).
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico c
50-44BC
 Those
who fall into this category are
shunned (….) and penance does not
restore their rights nor their (lost) honour.
 Of all the druids one precedes who has
the highest authority among them.
 When this one dies, either the one who
excels the most in status takes over, or if
there are many who are suitable, by a vote
of the druids they contend for leadership,
sometimes even contending with arms.
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico c
50-44BC
 At
a certain time of the year, they sit down
in a consecrated place in the territory of
the Carnutes (near Chartres, France)
which region is deemed to be the centre of
all Gaul.


To this place all come from everywhere who have
disputes and the druids deliberate and propse decisions.
It is believed that training for druids was discovered in
Britain and later brought to Gaul. Those who wish to
study the matter fully depart for Britain.
Training in Britain
 The
reference to training in Britain (the
‘home’ of druidism), is fascinating because
similar kinds of references are made in
later early medieval Irish writings.
 Irish heroes are described as coming to
‘Alba’ (later this meant only Scotland) to
complete their studies in magic- eg the
Children of Calatin, ‘they sought all the
druids of the world”.
 Probably this implies druidic sanctuaries,
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico
 The
druids do not carry arms in battle, and
they are exempt from taxation. They are
also exempt from lawsuits.
 This is one of the reasons that young men
are attracted by the druidic profession.
 They are said to commit to memory great
numbers of verses.
 They use Greek letters are used by them
in public and private transactions.
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico
 Their
major religious belief is that the soul
does not die but crosses over after death
from one place to another and this they
believe is the greatest incentive to bravery
by disregarding the fear of death.
 They also debate the movement of the
heavens (=ethno-astrology), the size of the
universe and the earth, the workings of
nature, the strength and power of the
gods-this is what they teach to the young
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico c
50-44BC

Druids administer sacrifices to placate the gods
in times of war and peace, personal or
communal.

It is judged that unless for a man’s life a man’s
life is given back, the will of the immortal gods
cannot be placated.
DRUIDS and Sacrifice
 Others
have effigies of great size
interwoven with branches, the limbs of
which are filled up with living people which
are set alight from below.
 Human sacrificial victims are taken from
those found guilty of theft, brigandage or
other crimes. When there are no
candidates, victims are taken from the
ranks of the innocent.
Sacrifice scene from the
Gundestrup caudron c100BC
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico
 The
druids of Gaul proclaim that they are
all sprung from the same father Dis.
 They define the space of time not by the
number of days but of nights.
 They observe birthdays and the
beginnings of months and years in this
way so that day follows night.
Julius Caesar De Bello Gallico
 They
learn by heart a great number of
verses; some people remain twenty years
under training, and they do not think it
proper to commit these utterances to
writing.
La Tène Religion
CERNUNNOS?
La Tène Religion
ESUS
La Tène Religion
Wild boar
MOCCOS
La Tène Religion
EPONA
La Tène Religion
ROSMERTA
La Tène Religion
THE MATRES
Language in the Iron Age
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaulish_language
 Talking
to the Gauls and the Britons
 The language of Asterix…
 The language of Vercingetorix…
 The language of the druids…
Inscriptions on pottery
 Often
bilingual or in mixed Latin-Gaulish:
 Nata uimpi curmi da pretty girl give beer
 Taurina uimpi pretty bull girl
 Geneta immi daga uimpi- I am a young girl
good and pretty.
 Neddamon delgu linda-I contain the drinks
of the nearest
Drinking vessels
 Ibetis
uciu, andecari biite
 Drink from this and you will be very
amiable)
 Ouenikou medou
 Friendly through mead.
 Vercobretos readdas
 The magistrate provided (Argenton-surCreuse)
The Lezoux plate 1973 protective charm
meamobi molatus certiognu sueticon
(praise by the worst is self-damaging to
the righteous)
 Nu gnate ne dama gussou (now my boy
do not yield to violence)
 Batoron ueia suebreto (one should not go
one’s way by one’s own judgement)

The magical texts of Chamalières
and Larzac
 Chamalières
(12 lines) discovered in 1971.
Chamalieres tablet
Chamalières tablet
Chamalières
 The
lead plate fround in Chamalieres
(Puy-de-Dome) came from a Gallo-Roman
site, and are now conserved in the
Bourgoin museum in Clermond-Ferrand.
 Probably from the 1st century AD.
 The well at the site would have been used
for votive offerings, including such as the
Chamalieres tablet.
Chamalières
 Magic
charms would be deposited in such
wells and where there were thermal
waters, as also happened in Bath
(England) in honour of the goddess Sulis.
 The Chamalieres tablet has twelve lines.
 The translation is tentative.
 Pierre-Yves Lambert:
Chamalières
I
invoke Maponos (of the Auvergne?) by
the power of the gods of the
Underworld…that you torture by the magic
of the Underworld gods the following (…)
and all those who swear this false oath. As
regards the one who swore it, may all his
straight bones be bent. I see him blind
?.......(unclear).
Celtic Britain
The probable
route taken by
the Greek
traveller Pytheas
310BC
The tribes of Britain c100BC.
Hillforts of the British tribes
DANESBURY
ABERYSTWYTH
YARNBURY, WILTSHIRE
BRITISH COINAGE
C20AD
The ROMANS IN BRITAIN
 Julius
Caesar ‘visits’ in 55Bc, 54BC (routs
Catuvellaunus).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassivellaunus
 Claudian

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_conquest_of_Britain
 Boudican

Invasion of Britain, 43AD
Revolt 60AD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica
Romans in Britain (2)
 The
Battle of Mons Graupius 83AD,
Calgacus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mons_Graupius
 Romanization
of Celtic Britain. The
Romano-Britons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romano-British_culture
The Revolt of Boudicā of the Iceni
60AD
THE DEFEAT OF THE SOUTHERN BRITONS BY THE ROMANS
Languages and
Geographies
The creation of Celtic cultures:
medieval and modern.
Continuity at work.
What happened to Gaulish?
 The
Celts of Europe: what happened to
them? The fate of Gaulish.
 Wide adoption of Latin. When Christianity
was introduced, it was as part of late Latin
culture.
 Rural areas of France may well have
preserved the use of Gaulish for two or
three more centuries after the Conquest of
Gaul (first century BC).
What happened to Gaulish?
 Certainly
some Gaulish loan words found
their way into the French language (eg
arpente, cervoise, alouette…).
 The main reason probably for the rapid
decline of Gaulish was the societal
upheaval that followed the Conquest. The
old tribal society with its unpopular system
of land-owning elites and clients gave way
to a different system based not on hillforts
but on small towns.
The Creation of the Celtic
Nations

1.
2.
3.
Three major population movements redefined
the geographies of Celtic Britain after the
Romans.
The settlement of Irish speakers in western
Scotland and the Hebrides.
The immigration of Celtic speakers from SW
Britain into NW France (the creation of
Brittany)
The Germanicization of eastern, SE, NE
Britain. (The arrival of the Anglo-Saxons). The
creation of England. After c600AD Celtic
speakers in Britain were mainly to be found in
the west of the island.
The arrival of the Irish in Scotland.
 Previously
Scotland had been a mixture of
Celtic cultures: mainly Pictish, Brittonic.
 The first ‘Gaels’ (or Irish) brought their
language and culture to the western Isles
and the SW Scotland. Eventually over the
next few centuries, this form of Old Irish
would become Scottish Gaelic and spread
to most of the Highlands and Islands.
Creating Brittany (Breizh)
 Although
it is well known that Brittany in
NW France has a Celtic language, music
and culture. It is not always realized that
the origins of Brittany are mainly in Celtic
Britain.
 An important mass migration of
Christianized Britons (ie Celtic Britons)
relocated to Brittany.
Creating Brittany (Breizh)
 It
is not certain whether the Gaulish
language was still spoken there when the
first Britons arrived. The two languages
Brittonic and Gaulish would have been
quite similar to each other during the time
of the Romans and before. So the first
Britons to arrive would probably have been
able to communicate easily (if there were
Gaulish speakers). It is just as likely that
by then the population of Armorica was
speaking a form of colloquial Latin.
The origins of the Welsh
 The
Welsh are, of course, associated with
the country known as Wales, but culturally
and linguistically they are descended from
one branch only of the Celtic world of preRoman Britain.
 Today’s Welsh call themselves ‘Cymry’
(fellow-countrymen) but an earlier name
was Brython (or Britons).
Ireland
 It
is now recognised that Ireland did not
escape Roman influence. Roman objects
were introduced to Ireland in much greater
numbers than had been believed.
 The key role of Rome’s contribution to the
shaping of Irish art has been progressively
understood, as has the early influence of
the Latin language on Irish (before
Patrick).
Ireland
 The
most impressive discovery of Roman
artifacts in Ireland came from Drumanagh
approx 25 km north of Dublin.
Next time
 The
beginni.ngs of Scotland
 Also
mini-test…(1)