Celtic Warfare

Book excerpt: An in-depth study of Celtic warfare’s evolution from early rise to Roman conquest—with more than 120 illustrations. Warfare was a crucial aspect of Celtic society, deeply linked to its cultural influence throughout Europe. From its rise to prominence in the fifth century BC to its final fall in the 1st century AD, the La Téne culture’s approach to warfare was constantly evolving. These changes were in response to a variety of factors, from contact with Mediterranean cultures and climates to the dynamics of class and social issues. In Celtic Warfare, Gioal Canestrelli draws on archaeological and literary sources to present an interdisciplinary analysis of the subject. He examines warfare from both a practical perspective, linked to weapons structure and military tactics, and a social perspective, analyzing the cultural implications of Celtic military development. Canestrelli also covers the different areas of the Keltiké, from Britain to Gaul, from Spain to the Alpine region, with more than 120 black & white drawings of the archaeological finds and a number of original color artworks of Celtic warriors.