Greek and Roman writers and historians compiled vast accounts on the Celtic peoples and their culture with the help of travelers, merchants, soldiers, and others. These are perhaps the primary non-archaeological sources we today rely on in gaining our understanding and knowledge about the Celts.
In this section the major classical, or Greco-Roman writers, will be introduced. One must understand that the accounts, though valuable to us in that these writers were contemporaries with the Celts, on the other hand were often biased and had hidden political and cultural agendas. Most many of the Roman and Greek accounts can be viewed as helpful and 'relatively' accurate, nevertheless they should be read with caution.
Aristotle --
{no picture available}Aristotle uses the Celtic people in his philosophical discussions regarding valour and bravery. (which was a great leap for someone whose society believed to be exclusively civilized and cultured)
Polybius --
{no picture available}At a time when the Celtic tribes were still major forces to be reckoned with, about the third century BC, Polybius shares his vivid recountings of the powerful Celtic peoples and their continued spread throughout southern and eastern Europe.
Livy --
{no picture available}Relying also heavily on the writer Posidonius for information about the Celts, Livy describes in his major work 'History of Rome' an attack on the city of Rome by the Celts which took place in the early 4th century BC.
Strabo -- Living in Rome and Alexandria working as a cartographer (geographer), this Greek spent many years traveling and recording facts and figures which he ultimately compiled into 17 volumes. His primary source for information on the Celtic peoples came from the writer Posidonius.
Pliny The Elder -- Pliny, the Elder, (+ 79 A.D.) delivered detailed accounts on the Druids and Celtic rituals, divination, healing and other aspects of Celtic religion and cult. None of his information could be verified as being his.
Julius Caesar-- Julius Caesar (+ 44 B.C.) had his first real encounter with the Celts during the Gaul campaigns, which he conquered between 58-51 B.C. He also took his armies to the British Isles twice. During these expeditions he was able to take note of the Celtic social structures and customs.
Cornelius Tacitus --
{no picture available}Tacitus (A.D. 56-120), the renowned author of the Annals and Histories, offered great and insightful accounts on the Britons and Germans. His writings covered most of the post-Augustan period.
Herodotus -- this Greek writer and historian is perhaps most justifyably labeled as the prime historian of the ancient world. Though he did not gather his information from his travels himself and relied heavily on his informants and aides, it is generally accepted that his writings serve as a reliable and accurate work of reference.
Diodorus Siculus
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Posidonius -- a man of philosophy he managed to deliver unprecendented insight into Celtic society. Through his firsthand experiences in Gaul, Posidonius was able to gather detailed information about the Celtic people.
Vergilius
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