Let's Talk Celtic (Re-visited)

[mol]

A new thread to continue this discussion...

The last post was by Ari:


I did a whole history unit on the Celts and could dig some of my notes out, if I still have them...one of the things that struck me during the course was what an idealised view the pagan community tends to have of them, particularly in regards to the role of women and female deities in their society. In terms of equality, they were really very similar to the Vikings, ie better than the Romans of that time period, but still definately patriarchal.
__________________
The Lotus Garden


Continue on...

[Ariannon]

<<<one of the things that struck me during the course was what an idealised view the pagan community tends to have of them, particularly in regards to the role of women and female deities in their society. In terms of equality, they were really very similar to the Vikings, ie better than the Romans of that time period, but still definately patriarchal.>>>

How very true this statement is. The property was held entirly by the men. They could offer their daughters in marriage to whom ever had the best bride price. They also did all the hunting and farming. Meanwhile the women took care of the children, made bread and the like, and played proper hostess when there were guests. Neither attempts to do the other genders job. Where this inequality ends is at festivals and rituals. Then they honor the God and Goddess as one. Another time this occurs is with children. Girl children were taught fighting and warrior ways right along side the boy children.
As you can see they did not sequester their women or children inside the house out of everyone's view - as the Romans did but neither did they let the women and children live the life of a Viking warrior.

Ariannon

[Ariannon]

One thing that I did forget to mention in the Celtics ways being a bit like the Romans is that the Father chose a groom for their daughters. It mattered if the daughter accepted the groom but she wasn't forced to marry anyone. If she declined the groom she could be severly punished considering how important the union was or how long she has been refusing suitors.