Religion
The Celtic religion was polytheistic, “poly” meaning many, “theistic” meaning Gods, which means that the Celts worshipped many Gods. They had over 100 different Gods who each had special abilities like Lugh, who was the creator of Arts, protected travellers, and was also known as the “God of Light”. Goddesses were responsible for natural things, such as fertility and healing and for protecting the home. The Celts believed that the Gods were responsible for natural events, such as water, thunder and how good a harvest was. They would ask the Gods to help them by giving them gifts that were valuable and even sacrificed animals and humans. These gifts and sacrifices were placed into water such as lakes and rivers, because they thought that any body of water was a gateway to the “Other World”.
The Celts believed in an afterlife just like this world, where they would live in peace and harmony. This world was called “Gwnfid”, which was actually the Milkyway. They felt that there was a close connection between this world and the next, and to get there, they had to rid themselves of earthly desires to make their soul free.
For more information about the Celtic Gods, go to http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/kpic/101803/Celtic-religion
Economics
The Celts were very wealthy. There was over 400 Celtic gold mines found just in France alone, and this was the reason why Julius Caesar invaded Gaul, to take the gold. Gold was used to make jewelry, coins, to decorate weapons, and to make ceremonial objects.
Cattle were considered a source of wealth to farmers. Cattle were used to barter for other goods. The more cattle a farmer had, the wealthier he was.
The Celts traded goods such as wool, salt, gold, iron, copper and crafts with other Celtic tribes and nations such as the Greeks, Romans and the Mediterranean countries. Goods bought from other countries included wine and pottery, and they also would buy Amber from the Baltic to sell to the Romans and the Greeks. The trade route extended north, south, east and west, with the traders from different countries meeting at towns.
Celts used barter to exchange goods. Initially, they used iron bars as a form of currency, but later they learned how to make coins from the Macedonians. The first Celtic coins were made of pure gold and silver, which was stamped between two moulds.
Culture
The Celts had many religious festivals. The four main festivals in the year were the Samain, the Imboloc, the Beltane and the Lugnasad. The Samain festival was the most important one of the year. It was the beginning of the Celtic New Year and was thought to be a dangerous time when the spirits walked the Earth. The Samain festival was held on October 31st, and is now celebrated as All Souls Day, or as we like to call it, Halloween.
For information about many other ancient Celtic festivals, see http://spacedoutclass.com/2012/10/23/ancient-celt-holidays/
The Celts were hospitable and famous for their feasts. These were held at festivals, during religious ceremonies, before battle, and to celebrate a victory in war. During the feasts that everyone in the village attended, political affairs would be discussed; warriors would fight each other; and there would be entertainment. Bards would tell epic legends of great warriors and kings. People would eat a lot of food, drink a lot of wine and beer and be very rowdy.
Food was very important to the Celts. They produced food on their farms, growing crops such as wheat, barley and oats, which were used to make porridge and flour. Pigs, cattle, sheep and goats, cattle were raised on the farms. Milk, butter, cheese were obtained from the animals as well as wool from the sheep which was spun into clothes. Animal hides were used to make leather. Wild fruits, berries, mushrooms, herbs and nuts were collected, and they hunted and fished.
Intellect
The Celts did not have a written language. It was considered dangerous, and might put sacred knowledge into the wrong hands. Instead, the Bards, who were able to remember a lot of information, memorized history and everyday news.
The Druids were teachers who passed down learning and religious beliefs. They also were astronomers and mathematicians. The Druids created by calendars using the Moon and the stars to mark the changes of seasons and to measure time.
The Celts were skilled at forging weapons from iron, artistic, using gold to make jewelry, and had many practical skills such as making wooden barrels, curing ham and keeping bees.
Politics
The chieftain or king ruled the tribe. Only the noble class really had any say in what went on, the commoners had little choice in tribal matters. The Druids decided what the Gods wanted and how it affected the lives of the people in the tribe. They acted as judges, offering sacrifices to appease the Gods, including human sacrifice.
Celtic armies were feared throughout Europe. The warriors were tall, strong and muscular. They often wore little protective armour, and sometimes wore only paint (Wode). They appeared very fierce and gave loud war cries, which frightened even the Romans.
Each warrior tried to kill as many enemies as they could, and would chop off their heads to take home to the village as trophies. A warrior fought bravely for the tribe but also fought to gain glory and to ensure that they went to Gwynfid.
Environment
Celts were farmers. They cleared the land to grow crops and raise animals. Meadows were fenced, and the meadow grass was used to make hay for the animals in the winter. They fished in the streams and rivers, and hunted the local wildlife. Wild food such as berries and herbs were collected and used in their diet. In some areas, the Celts dug pits for Marl, which is a natural form of lime. This was used to fertilise the soil and to help crops grow.
Houses were built out of wooden poles from Oak forests and had thatched roofs. Villages were created, often on a hilltop for defence. Fortified settlements were built after 200 BC that contained the centre of government, trade and craft. The pastures and fields were outside. These were called Oppida.
Society
Celtic society was a village based tribal society with a strict social hierarchy.
1. CHIEFTAN OR "KING"
A chief ruled each Celtic tribe. Different tribes fought in battle against each other and if one tribe defeated many other tribes, their chief would gain the title of King.
2. NOBLES
The noble class consisted of priests, warriors and bards.
Warriors
Warriors were the most important of the Celtic noble class. The Celts loved fighting and had a war-like nature. Warriors were responsible for protecting the village from invaders and conquering other nations. They also increased the tribe’s wealth when they went to war and committed raids on other tribes as they would get slaves, steal gold and other valuables, plus obtain weapons and food.
Druids
The word “Druid” is a Celtic word, which means “the knowing or wise one”. They were priests who not only organized religious ceremonies and made sacrifices to the Gods, but also acted as judges, teachers of math and astronomy, and acted as political advisors in matters of war and peace.
Bards
Celts did not have a written language because it was considered dangerous to put information down. Instead, important news and history was passed on to the tribe by bards. Bards were storytellers and poets, who would learn 100s of legends, stories and songs, plus travel to other tribes to pass on news and information about important events. They would often learn how to play a musical instrument. Bards had very well developed memories.
3. COMMONERS
Even if a man had a particular role in the tribe, they all had to fight for their chieftain in battle. Women could also fight in Celtic society, and could be the queen of a tribe. Both men and women could be priests. Men were important to the tribe, but women were also of equal value, they were able to own property and even get a divorce if they wanted to. Children helped their families, and were often taught a skill. Sometimes a child would be placed with another family to learn a craft, and this would create a bond between the two families and strengthen the tribe. A child could be chosen to become a Druid or a Bard and then be educated in that profession. This could take many years.
Farmers
Farmers grew crops and bred pigs, sheep and cattle. Animals were a source of food and clothing, and could be used to barter for other goods. Everyone in the family had to help on the farm. Men, women and children all worked in the fields and helped at harvest time.
Craftsmen
The Celts had many skilled craftsmen. Some were blacksmiths who worked with iron, bronze smiths who worked with bronze, and there were also carpenters, leather workers, potters and those who made precious jewelry.
Tradesmen
Tradesmen sold iron, weapons, wool and gold to other tribes and nations such as the Greeks, and brought back goods from those places to sell to their own tribe.
4. SLAVES
People became slaves in Celtic society in different ways. They could be taken from another country as a trophy of war, captured during a raid on another Celtic tribe, or they could even be other members of the same tribe that were paying off a debt, or had committed a crime.
Civilisation
The Celts worshipped their Gods at lakes and springs and also in forests.
A man found Celtic coins in the Netherlands in 2008 with a metal detector.
The Coligny Calendar. A lunar calendar created by the Celtic Druids in Gaul to measure time.
A fierce band of Celtic warriors
A painting of a Dutch Celtic village, showing warriors, druids, farmers, craftsmen and other commoners.
See the website http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/article.jsp?articled=6064