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bjornwildeHistory is a living and entertaining thing...but you need a good author.
Always look at the price of the niffty book you find on Amazon, be it an art book, a history book or a folklore book. I almost bought a $90 book without realizing.
Some folks take it a bit far.
On the subject of good books I *HAVE* to recommend The Philosopher and the Druids : A Journey Among the Ancient Celts by Phillip Freeman. Fascinating doesn't begin to cover it. Well, and entertainingly, written, it has lots of basic information about the Celt's of Gaul and the "classical" world, i.e. not Ireland or the British Isles.
I'm only a few chapters in and I've already learned that the Galatians, yes the ones from the bible, were Celtic, and that a Celtic tribe had attacked and almost sacked Delphi. Another tribe almost wiped out Rome before the city/empire became so formidable. Just think we could all be speaking a non latin based language. It would almost seem Rome became so formidable in response to the attack.
I've also learned about the Classical world, brief bits to be sure, but still very interesting. For instance, did you know a greek, Pytheas, visited Iceland in the fourth century?
One peave I do have, and so far its only happened once, is the frame of mind that all gods and goddess' of the ancient world were adaptations of the greek divinities. Athena and Brigid are the same? WTF? I can see the crafts angle but I don't remember Brigid having any Martial qualities.
I was wrong, Brigid does have martial qualities.
From Encyclopedia Mythica: Breo Saighead, or the "Fiery Arrow or Power," is a Celtic three-fold goddess, the daughter of The Dagda, and the wife of Bres. Known by many names, Brighid's three aspects are (1) Fire of Inspiration as patroness of poetry, (2) Fire of the Hearth, as patroness of healing and fertility, and (3) Fire of the Forge, as patroness of smithcraft and martial arts. She is mother to the craftsmen. Sons of Tuireann: Creidhne, Luchtaine and Giobhniu.
From Wikipedia:
She was the goddess of all things perceived to be of relatively high dimensions such as high-rising flames, highlands, hill-forts and upland areas; and of activities and states conceived as psychologically lofty and elevated, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship (especially blacksmithy), healing ability, druidic knowledge and skill in warfare.
Next I plan to get my hands on his book War, Women, and Druids : Eyewitness Reports and Early Accounts of the Ancient Celts.
Okay back to work...
Always look at the price of the niffty book you find on Amazon, be it an art book, a history book or a folklore book. I almost bought a $90 book without realizing.
Some folks take it a bit far.
On the subject of good books I *HAVE* to recommend The Philosopher and the Druids : A Journey Among the Ancient Celts by Phillip Freeman. Fascinating doesn't begin to cover it. Well, and entertainingly, written, it has lots of basic information about the Celt's of Gaul and the "classical" world, i.e. not Ireland or the British Isles.
I'm only a few chapters in and I've already learned that the Galatians, yes the ones from the bible, were Celtic, and that a Celtic tribe had attacked and almost sacked Delphi. Another tribe almost wiped out Rome before the city/empire became so formidable. Just think we could all be speaking a non latin based language. It would almost seem Rome became so formidable in response to the attack.
I've also learned about the Classical world, brief bits to be sure, but still very interesting. For instance, did you know a greek, Pytheas, visited Iceland in the fourth century?
One peave I do have, and so far its only happened once, is the frame of mind that all gods and goddess' of the ancient world were adaptations of the greek divinities. Athena and Brigid are the same? WTF? I can see the crafts angle but I don't remember Brigid having any Martial qualities.
I was wrong, Brigid does have martial qualities.
From Encyclopedia Mythica: Breo Saighead, or the "Fiery Arrow or Power," is a Celtic three-fold goddess, the daughter of The Dagda, and the wife of Bres. Known by many names, Brighid's three aspects are (1) Fire of Inspiration as patroness of poetry, (2) Fire of the Hearth, as patroness of healing and fertility, and (3) Fire of the Forge, as patroness of smithcraft and martial arts. She is mother to the craftsmen. Sons of Tuireann: Creidhne, Luchtaine and Giobhniu.
From Wikipedia:
She was the goddess of all things perceived to be of relatively high dimensions such as high-rising flames, highlands, hill-forts and upland areas; and of activities and states conceived as psychologically lofty and elevated, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship (especially blacksmithy), healing ability, druidic knowledge and skill in warfare.
Next I plan to get my hands on his book War, Women, and Druids : Eyewitness Reports and Early Accounts of the Ancient Celts.
Okay back to work...
