The Celts (2001)

For 800 years, one of the greatest barbarian races swept ruthlessly across Europe. Follow the fascinating journey of the Celts from their earliest roots 2,500 years ago through the flowering of their unique culture and their enduring heritage today.

At the height of the La Tene era of the Celtic movement, women were often the leading warriors, bards, druids, artists and craftsmen. Their settlements and forts show that they traded within and beyond Europe until their culture was decimated.

This episode discusses Celtic mythology, legend, and belief, namely the pagan religion, Druidism, and then the introduction of Christian faith to the Irish and Scots.

The collapse of the Roman Empire saw the arrival of new cultures that threatened the Celts. This program claims that the British king, Vortigern, invited the Anglo Saxons into Britain to help fight the Picts but they betrayed his trust to take over the island.

From the 8th century onwards invasions by the Vikings and the Normans threatened the Celts. Following the Reformation in the 16th century, Celtic communities in Wales, Ireland and Brittany were marginalized in the push for unity in England and France.

To what extent can modern people view themselves as Celts? This segment considers modern Celtic-inspired practices like military discipline, the Welsh Eisteddfod, modern Irish music and art, and the efforts to preserve the native languages.