Old English Literature

II. The romansQueen Boudicca (Boadicea) c. 61 A. D.Celtic warrior queen

Tacitus & other Romans write about her

The RomansThe Greek author Pytheas called them the "Pretanic Isles" which derived from the inhabitants name for them, Pritani. RomansCalled the Celts BritonsCalled the island Brittania@45 B.C. through 449 A.D.

THIS IS LONGER THAN THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN SETTLED BY EUROPEANS!The Romans The Romans never made it to the Northern part of the island the Picts and Scots were too fierce.

They built Hadrians Wall to keep these warrior tribes out. It still stands today.

A Roman outpost--

There are Roman ruins all over Britain. . . Roman Amphitheater--Chester

Segments of the original wall surrounding London

Roman Lighthouse, Dover Castle

BathConsidered a holy Place by the CeltsThe Romans built a shrine to Aquae Sulis, a water goddessBecame a popular resort in the 17th & 18th centuryBath

Cultural Connection: BathThin, rolled up pieces of metal, as well as coins, were thrown into the spring, either offering prayers or cursing criminals.Docilianus...to the most holy goddess Sulis. I curse him who has stolen my hooded cloak, whether man or woman, whether slave or free, that...the goddess Sulis inflict death upon...and not allow him sleep or children now and in the future, until he has brought my hooded cloak to the temple of her divinity.

http://people.bath.ac.uk/liskmj/living-spring/sourcearchive/ns4/ns4jcb1.htm

Cultural Connection: Romano-Celtic ReligionMithras was the sun god

On December 25th, the Romanized Celts celebrated Mithrass victory in the battle against the night

Many Celts were Christian by about the 3rd century A.D., so Christian and Pagan rituals, such as this one became combined.Cultural Connection: Romano-Celtic ReligionSamhain combines with the Roman feast Feralia (celebrates passing of the dead)This eventually became the Christian feast of All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and All Saints/ Souls DayAlso combined a celebration of Pomonagoddess of the apple (apple bobbing, anyone?)

The Romans The overextended Romans eventually left to defend the homeland from invading Germanic tribes (5th century A.D.)This left the Romanized Celts defenseless against the Picts and Scots attacking from the North and West.16More celts, really, from Northern EuropeVortigerns Invitation @449 A.D.King Vortigern, a Romano-Celtic chieftan sent for help from the Anglo-Saxon tribes across the sea.

They came to help, liked the climate, and stayed.

The Anglo-Saxons subjugated the native Romano-Celts, took lands, married women, etc.ArturiusLegendary Celtic war chieftain who led his people to a victory over the Saxons at the Battle of Badon Hill (early 500s A.D.)

May be start of King Arthur legends