The Celtic Empire: The First Millennium of Celtic History, C. 1000 BC-51 Ad [Hardcover]

Peter Berresford-Ellis (Author), Peter Berresford Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1991 | ISBN-10: 0890894574 | ISBN-13: 978-0890894576 | Edition: 1st Ed. (U.S.)

Writing for the general reader, Peter Berresford Ellis provides a full survey of the rise of one of the greatest of Europe's ancient civilizations. He covers the first millennium of Celtic history up until the time of Christ when, for a period, the Celts dominated the ancient world - from Ireland in the west to Turkey in the east, from Belgium in the north, south to Spain and Italy. According to one ancient chronicler, they attempted a coup d'etat in the Egypt of the Ptolemy pharaohs. They sacked Rome and spread down the Iberian peninsula into northern Italy. They then moved eastward across to what is now Czechoslovakia, along the Danube valley as far as the Black Sea, and on into Asia Minor where they established the Galatian state in the third century BC. In Greece, the Celts destroyed every army the city-states could throw at them, their sophisticated weapons and sturdy war-chariots devastating all adversaries. These Celtic tribes were the first European people north of the Alps to emerge into recorded history. Their civilization, now 3,000 years old, may soon disappear for ever. In this account, Peter Berresford Ellis aims to accord the Celts their proper place in the historical tapestry of Europe.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Press; 1st Ed. (U.S.) edition (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890894574
• ISBN-13: 978-0890894576
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,307,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written history, August 27, 2011

By 

David Belfry (Eden Prairie, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Celtic Empire: The First Millennium of Celtic History, C. 1000 BC-51 Ad (Hardcover)

I'm really enjoying this book. I think the history research was very well done and presented. Not to mention the time period pre roman occupation, I look forward to read it again.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "An Account of Celtic History Worthy of Praise", February 10, 2002

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Celtic Empire: The First Millennium of Celtic History, C. 1000 BC-51 Ad (Hardcover)

Peter Berresford Ellis' work on the "Celtic Empire" is an interesting, well-researched, and compelling read. His deep knowledge contemporary archaeological lore, modern Celtic scholarship, and the original Greek and Roman sources, makes this work a reliable and trustworthy account of a nation often clouded by the mist of Mythology and obscured by the stigma barbarity. Ellis begins his study of the Celtic peoples during the Bronze Age at approximately 1000 BC and concludes it at the conquest of Britain under the regiments of the emperor Claudius in AD 51. Also, the epilogue covers some fascinating theories propounded concerning Celtic relations with the American Indians around 800 BC, and also about possible ties of kinship with the Etruscans - Ellis discounts these theories, but they are worth checking out nevertheless. In general, the history focuses on the Celts struggle for freedom and identity against the pressure of an expanding Roman Empire. So, what will be found here is a very good, in-depth overview of Roman and Celtic military history. Little will be found here on Celtic law, philosophy, religion, and art, although it does contain much useful information on the Celt's language, achievements and contributions to Greco-Roman civilization and culture from Asia Minor to Ireland. The only flaw to this history is Ellis' obvious contempt for anything Roman, branding them as ambitious, greedy, and cruel; this estimate of the Roman's may to a certain extent be justified, however, Ellis' over-emphasis grows a bit bothersome early in the work. Apparently, to Ellis, anything that was good in Roman culture was inherited from the Celts. Overall, an eager reader will find a peaceful medium between the impressions left from the original Greco-Roman sources and Ellis' Celtic bias. This work should not be overlooked.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of the Celtic Empire, December 20, 1998

By 

Aussie Reader ""Rick"" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Celtic Empire: The First Millennium of Celtic History, C. 1000 BC-51 Ad (Hardcover)

Having first read this book in 1991 I may have forgotten parts of the story but what I haven't forgotten was that it was an excellent story. The author has presented a rich account of the first millennium of Celtic history (1000BC - 51AD). This may not be a highly detailed history but its a good story and covers all the major points of history that you would want to know about the people we call the Celts.

It covers all aspects of their life and their role in the ancient world. Its a good book, well presented and researched and it's a joy to read. The text just flows along taking you on a journey back in time to when the Celts were the most feared and respected people in the land. Read it and enjoy!