ISBN: 978-1-4620-6087-0 Publication Date: November 2011 Trade Paperback, 5.5 x 8.5, 308 pages Price $21.95, eBook $3.99 To order, call 1-800-288-4677 International 001-402-323-7800 Or visit www.iUniverse.com

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Outline of Chapters

Chapter I—The Celtic People: An Introduction   Spread of Celtic Realms   Roman Expansion   Decline of the Celts Chapter II—Origin and Characteristics of the Celts Who Were the Celts? Origin of Term “Celt” Celtic Language Early References to the Celts Celtic Customs and Behavior Celtic Feasting and Merriment Chapter III—Pre-Celtic Europe Mesolithic Age Neolithic Age Minoan and Mycenaean Cultures Greek Dark Age New Cultural Configurations Greek Colonial Expansion Posidonius Explores the “Mysterious Celts” Urnfield Culture Chapter IV—Hallstatt and La Tène Cultures The Hallstatt Culture Rise of Unified Dynasties La Tène Cultural Phase Societal Difference: Hallstatt Versus La Tène Later La Tène Phase Chapter V—Celtic Military Expansion Hostile Neighbors Celts Sack Rome Celts Pay Visit to Alexander the Great Mercenary Forces: Greece and Beyond Celts Permanently Settle Phrygia (Galatia) Iberian Peninsula Gaul Celts or Germans Britain and Ireland The Pan-Celtic World Chapter VI—The Fall of the Celtic Realms Hostilities Between Celts and Romans The Iberian Struggle Conflict Between Carthage and Rome Aftermath of the Second Punic War Final Effort to Subdue Iberia Offensive from Germanic Tribes Enter Julius Caesar Roman Incursions into Gaul Caesar Defeats the Belgic Tribes Caesar Battles Vercingetorix Celtic Cultural Legacy to Western Society Chapter VII—Celtic Britain Britain Before the Celts Arrived Romans Invade Britain a Second Time Not All Plain Sailing for the Romans Caratacus Surrenders to Rome Agricola Appointed Governor Administering Britain Chapter VIII—Post-Roman Britain Teutonic Incursions Historical Versus Mythical Allusions Vortigern: Celtic Hero or Traitor? The Legendary King Arthur Irish Settlements of Wales and Cornwall The Final Chapter in Celtic Britain Scotland Chapter IX—Celtic Ireland Beyond the Mists After the Ice Age Neolithic Peoples Celtic Tribes in Ireland Medieval Accounts of Celtic Incursions The First Wave—Priteni The Second Wave—Euerni The Third Wave—Laginian The Fourth Wave—Goidel Chapter X—Pre-Christian Ireland Society of Tribal Overlords Social Structure of Pre-Christian Ireland Recurring Power Struggles Conchobhar mac Nessa of Ulster Political Development and Characteristics Túathal Techtmar The Illustrious Cormac mac Airt Finn mac Cool and the Fianna Emergence of the Midland Connachta Dynasty Niall of the Nine Hostages

Chapter XI—Celtic Mythological Tradition Mythology: Man’s Search Through the Ages for Truth Four Waves of Irish Mythic Beliefs Irish Mythological Traditions Mythological Cycle Journey of the Sons of Mil Ulster Cycle Finn Cycle Historical Cycle King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Mythological Tales Versus Factual History Chapter XII—Celtic Deities and Traditions Celtic Pantheon Transmigration of the Soul Sacrificial Rituals The Celtic Otherworld Gaul: Pagan Deities and Beliefs Iberian Peninsula: Pagan Deities and Beliefs Britons: Pagan Deities and Beliefs Ireland: Pagan Deities and Beliefs Pagan Religious Observances Transition from Pagan to Christian Beliefs Chapter XIII—Druids and Druidism Posidonius and the Celts Julius Caesar on the Druids Druidic Origins Places of Worship British Druidism Irish Druidism The Druidic Tonsure Areas of Druidic Conformity and Dissimilarity Druid Women Christianity Absorbs Druidism? Chapter XIV—Influence of Christianity Paganism and Druidism Decline The Rise of Monasticism Asceticism Spreads to Western Europe Monasticism: A Revolt Against the Episcopal System? Gospel Spreads to Britain Christianity Reaches Ireland The Spread and Energy of the Irish Celtic Church Peregrinatio Pro Dei Amore Saint Brendan Saint Columbanus Saint Columba Roman Versus Celtic Institutions Viking Invaders Norman Invasion Chapter XV—Celtic Art and Literature Continental La Tène Art Expression British La Tène Art Tradition Irish Celtic Art Tradition Artistic Stone Carving The Illuminated Manuscript Celtic Literary Tradition Chapter XVI—Struggle for Change Resolving the Easter Cycle Controversy Medieval Church in Ireland Vikings, Not Rome, Initiate Organizational Reform Synod of Cashel ad 1101 Synod of Rathbresil ad 1111 Monastic Tradition Plummets Progress in the Political Sphere Chapter XVII—Flowering of Celtic Literary Artistry Medieval Irish Literature Irish Early Modern Literary Period Anglo-Irish Literary Tradition Period Advent of the Irish-Celtic Literary Renaissance Ireland’s Continuing Literary Contribution Post Independence Era Scottish Literary Artistry Late Medieval Anglo-Scottish Literature Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Writers Welsh Literary Artistry Chapter XVIII—Conclusion