Myths and legends ; the Celtic race . ancient Ireland, which is curt andallusive to a degree. The Druid was regarded as theprescribed intermediary between God and man—no onecould perform a religious act without his assistance. Ammianus Marcellinus Ammianus Marcellinus, who wrote much later, inthe latter half of the fourth century , had also visitedGaul, which was then, of course, much tells us, however, like former writers, of the greatstature, fairness, and arrogant bearing of the Gallicwarrior. He adds that the people, especially inAquitaine, were singularly clean and proper
Myths and legends ; the Celtic race . ancient Ireland, which is curt andallusive to a degree. The Druid was regarded as theprescribed intermediary between God and man—no onecould perform a religious act without his assistance. Ammianus Marcellinus Ammianus Marcellinus, who wrote much later, inthe latter half of the fourth century , had also visitedGaul, which was then, of course, much tells us, however, like former writers, of the greatstature, fairness, and arrogant bearing of the Gallicwarrior. He adds that the people, especially inAquitaine, were singularly clean and proper in theirpersons—no one was to be seen in rags. The Gallicwoman he describes as very tall, blue-eyed, and singu-larly beautiful; but a certain amount of awe is mingledwith his evident admiration, for he tells us that whileit was dangerous enough to get into a fight with aGallic man, your case was indeed desperate if his wifewith her huge snowy arms,* which could strike likecatapults, came to his assistance. One is irresistibly4^*. Vercingetorix riding round the Roman Camp 42 RICE HOLMES ON THE GAULS reminded of the gallery of vigorous, independent,fiery-hearted women, like Maeve, Grania, Findabair,Deirdre, and the historic Boadicea, who figure in themyths and in the history of the British Islands. Rice Holmes on the Gauls The following passage from Dr. Rice Holmes Caesars Conquest of Gaul may be taken as an ad-mirable summary of the social physiognomy of that partof Celtica a little before the time of the Christian era,and it corresponds closely to all that is known of thenative Irish civilisation : The Gallic peoples had risen far above the con-dition of savages ; and the Celticans of the interior,many of whom had already fallen under Romaninfluence, had attained a certain degree of civilisation,and even of luxury. Their trousers, from which theprovince took its name of Gallia Bracata, and theirmany-coloured tartan skirts and cloaks excited theastonishment of their conquer
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectcelticl, bookyear1910
