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Routledge Worlds
The Celtic World
The Celtic World is a detailed and comprehensive study of the Celts from the first evidence of them in the archaeological and historical record to the early post-Roman period. The strength of this volume lies in its breadth - it looks at archaeology, language, literature, towns, warfare, rural life, art, religion and myth, trade and industry, political organisations, society and technology. The Celtic World draws together material from all over pagan Celtic Europe and includes contributions from British, European and American scholars. Much of the material is new research which is previously unpublished.
The book addresses some important issues - Who were the ancient Celts? Can we speak of them as the first Europeans? In what form does the Celtic identity exist today and how does this relate to the ancient Celts?
For anyone interested in the Celts, and for students and academics alike, The Celtic World will be a valuable resource and a fascinating read.
The book addresses some important issues - Who were the ancient Celts? Can we speak of them as the first Europeans? In what form does the Celtic identity exist today and how does this relate to the ancient Celts?
For anyone interested in the Celts, and for students and academics alike, The Celtic World will be a valuable resource and a fascinating read.
864 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 1995
13 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Aldhouse-Green
38 books94 followersMiranda Green was born in London and educated at Greycoat Hospital, Westminster. She took an Honours degree at University College, Cardiff and an M. Litt. at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. She gained a research scholarship at the Open University and was awarded a doctorate in 1981 for her thesis on Romano-Celtic sun-symbolism. She has received research awards from the Society of Antiquities of London and from the British Academy, and was awarded the Leverhulme Research Fellowship at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. After holding posts at Worthing and Peterborough Museums, she took up posts as Tutor in Roman Studies and full-time administrator at the Open University in Wales.
Until recently professor of archaeology at Newport University, Miranda's teaching experience ranges from leading undergraduate courses on Roman Britain and Iron Age Europe to managing and contributing to Newport's MA in Celto-Roman Studies. She has supervised more than twenty PhD and MPhil students to successful completion.
Miranda Aldhouse-Green is Tutor for the MA Archaeology programme, and is module leader for three of the MA skills modules (Research Methods, Writing Archaeology/Writing the Past and Speaking Archaeology). She lectures on Early Celtic Studies and contributes to the third-year undergraduate Theory course.
External responsibilities include membership of the Ancient Monuments Advisory Board for Wales, presidency of the Prehistoric Society (2004-6) and membership of the management board of the University of Wales Press.
Until recently professor of archaeology at Newport University, Miranda's teaching experience ranges from leading undergraduate courses on Roman Britain and Iron Age Europe to managing and contributing to Newport's MA in Celto-Roman Studies. She has supervised more than twenty PhD and MPhil students to successful completion.
Miranda Aldhouse-Green is Tutor for the MA Archaeology programme, and is module leader for three of the MA skills modules (Research Methods, Writing Archaeology/Writing the Past and Speaking Archaeology). She lectures on Early Celtic Studies and contributes to the third-year undergraduate Theory course.
External responsibilities include membership of the Ancient Monuments Advisory Board for Wales, presidency of the Prehistoric Society (2004-6) and membership of the management board of the University of Wales Press.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 30, 2013
This was a book I read to gain information for my final essay in the course Celtic History and Culture at Uppsala university in Sweden. I can easily say that this is the best book you can get on this subject, and are quite cheep at sites like abebooks.co.uk or amazon or ebay, if you're interested to know about the Celts! It's an academic written book so it quite "dry" in that scene but there are 41 chapters at the total and don't be scared of it's thickness; it covers everything you might want or not want to know about the Celts and you need no other book!! :)
I've read out the Chapter 3, 4-7, half of 11, 12-13, parts of 15, 17, parts of 20, 21-24(the most interesting parts together with the chapters about the art: 20-22), 26-27 and 30-31.
I can't talk about everything that I want to but I've leaned a lot from this book and if you're wondering which book you are going to read this is the BOOK!
One of the thing I had to rethink was my picture of the druids as peace-loving as I got from Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" and other books (in reality they wagged mobs in Britain towards the Romans several times) and only victims for the Romans, in the reality they was high up in society and held power over life and death that they also used... they also had temples covered with skulls nailed at the inside of the houses and pillars and had a "cult of the head" and displayed their dead beheaded after battles in sacred places to their Gods.
The social importance of the art and it's way to show status. Fascinating things :) Art really had a double meaning those days, both by showing power/wealth and spiritual/religious meaning in what's pictured and their interpretation of the items.
I've read out the Chapter 3, 4-7, half of 11, 12-13, parts of 15, 17, parts of 20, 21-24(the most interesting parts together with the chapters about the art: 20-22), 26-27 and 30-31.
I can't talk about everything that I want to but I've leaned a lot from this book and if you're wondering which book you are going to read this is the BOOK!
One of the thing I had to rethink was my picture of the druids as peace-loving as I got from Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" and other books (in reality they wagged mobs in Britain towards the Romans several times) and only victims for the Romans, in the reality they was high up in society and held power over life and death that they also used... they also had temples covered with skulls nailed at the inside of the houses and pillars and had a "cult of the head" and displayed their dead beheaded after battles in sacred places to their Gods.
The social importance of the art and it's way to show status. Fascinating things :) Art really had a double meaning those days, both by showing power/wealth and spiritual/religious meaning in what's pictured and their interpretation of the items.
August 14, 2024
Comprehensive and thorough, 'The Celtic World' is a dense resource that would be particularly useful for undergraduates and authors seeking to write historic fiction. It's probably a bit outdated, sure, but most of it will hold up and provide more information on the daily life, culture, languages, mythologies, etc of ancient Celts for Celtophiles. There are a lot of them out there.
My one gripe is that there is one chapter in this book that apparently insisted on footnotes instead of endnotes with references, and this bugged me. Forty one chapters, and somebody had to be a snowflake and throw off the citation formatting! Why?! Don't do that!!!
My one gripe is that there is one chapter in this book that apparently insisted on footnotes instead of endnotes with references, and this bugged me. Forty one chapters, and somebody had to be a snowflake and throw off the citation formatting! Why?! Don't do that!!!
March 7, 2023
Very good. I didn't read every single page but I'm comfortable enough to answer questions about Celts, Celtic mythology, folklores, lifestyle, past etc. now.
August 9, 2012
All the dry information that you would expect of an academic journal. ;) But for the research I wanted to do, it was absolutely perfect. Comprehensive and well organized, it covers a wide range of topics from a number of authors.
March 31, 2013
Informative... well-researched... slightly biased on one point... very Interesting, but be prepared for dry writing.
December 23, 2023
Book of the Day – The Celtic World
Today’s Book of the Day is THE CELTIC WORLD, edited by Miranda Green in 1995 and published by Routledge.
Miranda Jane Aldhouse-Green is an archaeologist, writer, and academic, known for her research on the Iron Age and the Celts. She was Professor of Archaeology at Cardiff University from 2006 to 2013.
I have chosen this book because, as an enthusiast and expert in Celtic traditions and history, I found THE CELTIC WORLD to be an invaluable and comprehensive exploration of the Celtic culture.
Edited by Miranda J. Green, this book stands as a true beacon in the world of Celtic studies, offering a multidisciplinary approach that delves deep into the intricate facets of Celtic civilization.
The book itself is a collection of 41 essays covering a wide number of topics, from the bronze age to Modern times. One can find sections about language, culture, religion, economy, technology, art, religion, and even manufacturing.
The anthology’s strength lies in its breadth and depth, encompassing a vast array of topics ranging from the ancient origins of the Celts to their enduring legacies in the modern world. The contributors, each eminent in their respective fields, provide a complete, accurate and holistic understanding of the Celtic society and way of life.
One of the book’s most interesting aspects is its accessibility to scholars and enthusiasts alike. The lucid prose, mixed with an engaging narrative style, makes complex historical and cultural discussions understandable for any kind of reader without sacrificing any scholarly rigour. Readers are taken on a captivating journey through time, witnessing the evolution of Celtic societies and their interactions with neighbouring cultures.
Furthermore, THE CELTIC WORLD successfully challenges many misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding the Celts, by offering deep insights into their diverse communities and the interconnectedness that defined their world. Including lesser-known aspects, such as the role of women, religious practices, and the influence of Celtic art on subsequent artistic movements, the book adds depth and richness to the narrative.
Throughout the pages of the book, the resilience of Celtic culture becomes evident, with its ability to adapt and evolve over centuries of interaction with other cultures. Celtic traditions have reached us today in various forms, from language and folklore to art and music.
Some chapters might require a foundational understanding of the subject matter. Nonetheless, this depth of analysis makes it an invaluable resource for scholars seeking in-depth exploration.
One part I have been particularly engaged in has been the one about the linguistic facets and aspects of the Celtic world, together with the study of their literature. The book provides a fascinating overview of the Celtic languages, their evolution over time, and their current status in the language spoken today across Europe. An interesting discussion on the rich literary tradition of the Celts, including their oral epics, their bardic poetry, and their prose narratives enriches the study.
In conclusion, THE CELTIC WORLD represents an indispensable compendium for anyone interested in Celtic history, culture, and heritage. Its scholarly rigour, coupled with engaging storytelling, renders it an essential addition to the library of both academics and enthusiasts. I definitely recommend it!
Today’s Book of the Day is THE CELTIC WORLD, edited by Miranda Green in 1995 and published by Routledge.
Miranda Jane Aldhouse-Green is an archaeologist, writer, and academic, known for her research on the Iron Age and the Celts. She was Professor of Archaeology at Cardiff University from 2006 to 2013.
I have chosen this book because, as an enthusiast and expert in Celtic traditions and history, I found THE CELTIC WORLD to be an invaluable and comprehensive exploration of the Celtic culture.
Edited by Miranda J. Green, this book stands as a true beacon in the world of Celtic studies, offering a multidisciplinary approach that delves deep into the intricate facets of Celtic civilization.
The book itself is a collection of 41 essays covering a wide number of topics, from the bronze age to Modern times. One can find sections about language, culture, religion, economy, technology, art, religion, and even manufacturing.
The anthology’s strength lies in its breadth and depth, encompassing a vast array of topics ranging from the ancient origins of the Celts to their enduring legacies in the modern world. The contributors, each eminent in their respective fields, provide a complete, accurate and holistic understanding of the Celtic society and way of life.
One of the book’s most interesting aspects is its accessibility to scholars and enthusiasts alike. The lucid prose, mixed with an engaging narrative style, makes complex historical and cultural discussions understandable for any kind of reader without sacrificing any scholarly rigour. Readers are taken on a captivating journey through time, witnessing the evolution of Celtic societies and their interactions with neighbouring cultures.
Furthermore, THE CELTIC WORLD successfully challenges many misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding the Celts, by offering deep insights into their diverse communities and the interconnectedness that defined their world. Including lesser-known aspects, such as the role of women, religious practices, and the influence of Celtic art on subsequent artistic movements, the book adds depth and richness to the narrative.
Throughout the pages of the book, the resilience of Celtic culture becomes evident, with its ability to adapt and evolve over centuries of interaction with other cultures. Celtic traditions have reached us today in various forms, from language and folklore to art and music.
Some chapters might require a foundational understanding of the subject matter. Nonetheless, this depth of analysis makes it an invaluable resource for scholars seeking in-depth exploration.
One part I have been particularly engaged in has been the one about the linguistic facets and aspects of the Celtic world, together with the study of their literature. The book provides a fascinating overview of the Celtic languages, their evolution over time, and their current status in the language spoken today across Europe. An interesting discussion on the rich literary tradition of the Celts, including their oral epics, their bardic poetry, and their prose narratives enriches the study.
In conclusion, THE CELTIC WORLD represents an indispensable compendium for anyone interested in Celtic history, culture, and heritage. Its scholarly rigour, coupled with engaging storytelling, renders it an essential addition to the library of both academics and enthusiasts. I definitely recommend it!
February 15, 2016
This is dense material for the layperson. I understand that some of it is now dated. However, if you are researching for the purposes of writing fiction, there are some details to be found here that you aren't going to find in some of the more general reference materials.
July 17, 2009
Based on a good historical and archaeological research that's a good reference book for Celtic studies. It covers many different and important topics and is very well written.
November 13, 2010
Please read my review at Celtic Scholar
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March 12, 2015This is not the book I read.
The Celtic Worl by Barry Cunliffe
The Celtic Worl by Barry Cunliffe
December 29, 2022
j'ai lu ça à la rache pour un partiel d'art celtique, fait vaguement le taf mais sans plus (j'ai l'impression de n'avoir lu que des infos sur les torques ????)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews