CELTS VS. VIKINGS — DON’T MESS UP THESE TWO
Knowing the Celtic Nations, you may be aware of the Scandinavian influence on these nations. This historical and cultural impact has left behind a controversial debate on the topic of Celts vs. Vikings, regarding questions such as “Are Vikings Celtic?”, and “Are Celts and Vikings the same?”.
All countries considered to be under Scandinavian influence: the Vikings in Ireland, Wales and Scotland, or any other “Britannia” nations had all conquered their current lands by means of raids and occupations. Evidence collected originating from these times has implied certain similarities to what’s originated from the Celts.
Despite such similarities, the Celtics and Viking are two different ethnic majorities during the years of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and even Industrial revolution.
This story will dedicate itself to discussing the origins of the two ancient civilizations and making sense of the differences between them. Before delving into the Celts vs. Vikings comparison, let’s get to know some background information.
The Celts
The Celts are known as a collection of tribes whose story began 5000 years ago following the nomadic steppes of Central Asia. They finally hit into the lands of Baltic Regions, where is the place of today’s Central Europe. Occupying the regions of British Isles for many centuries before being invaded by Emperor Claudius’s forces in AD 43, the Celtic people were considered a diverse tribe conglomeration who shared the same way of life.
The Celts were viewed by the classical world as savage, dangerous and warlike for posing a real threat to the preservation of Mediterranian culture. However, archeology has proved them to be one of the most culturally significant civilizations in the ancient world.
Their legacy still bears many important implications for today’s civilian research process.
The Vikings
The Vikings formed an important part of the sophisticated Scandinavian culture, as they originated from regions which are now Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Though not yet to be proved, their rural homelands with almost no towns, and their meagre living earned by agriculture and fishing had contributed to forming piracy culture.
During the late 8th and 11th centuries, the Vikings were portrayed as armed raiders who prey on communities living by the sea. They had made a reputation for themselves as pitiless warriors taking away treasures and captives.
They had indeed carried out violent and merciless attacks from small-scale raids to attacks involving a large number of warriors. But they were also known as excellent traders reaching the farthest land towards the east, across the Atlantic to North America.
Many people nowadays also consider Vikings as iconic symbols representing adventure and bravery. You can come across images of viking T-shirts as parts of cultural appreciation of people who bear those alike personality traits of the Vikings.
Differentiate the two Celts and Vikings
Having figured out the history of Vikings and Celts, together with their origins, you’ll get to know more of Celtic vs. Norse differences in these below parts.
“Barbarians” was originally the name entitled with both Celtic and Vikings groups by the Romans. European critics have been ceaselessly debating over whether that fact indicates a more primitive Celtic people. However, there is no concrete evidence to prove the assumption.
Take it or not, the Celts were much more civilized than what most people think of them. They had come up with a monitoring system that allowed them to control houses, roads, .. besides a complicated trade system.
Therefore, the Celt’s social organizing level was considered to be much more systematic than Vikings. This stark difference can be witnessed in the Vikings’ lack of wood riders and chariots as means of transportation.
The Celts also came under the impact of Christanity long earlier than the Norse. Not until 1000 AD did the Norse become prayers of Chritianity.
Another difference to distinguish Nordic vs. Celtic group is that only the Vikings celebrated seafaring traditions. If the Vikings adopted a very aggressive approach towards their targeted plunders, the Celts seemed to be more patient and gentle. The Celts’ lands eventually became targets of conquerors which forced them to be unwillingly defenders.
Celts and Vikings’ relationship in explanation
You may still ponder upon the question “Are Celts and Vikings the same?”. As historically recorded and explained, these two nomadic groups bore no relationship with each other.
They had no related genetic patterns, but only a correlation between taking place in the 9th century when the Vikings launched out a sudden attack of the Celts.
The Celts and Vikings’ relationship
Coming to this part of the article, I guess you may realize the answer to the question “Are Celts and Vikings the same?”. The two groups were in fact separated and bore no genetic relationship. There was only a direct correlation between them in the 9th century when the Vikings began attacking Celts.
Before the raid, during 1000 B.C, the Celts vs. Vikings lived besides each other. The two ethnic people had affected each other in terms of cultural value with lots of things in common.
Later on, these civilizations were both separated and became different ethnuc minorities who shared the similar beliefs, culture and tradition. For example, the Anglo-Saxons occupying parts of modern Britain all descended from Celts and Vikings.
It is indisputable that there exists a huge number of questions about history, especially in ancient ages when little is known and discovered. However, if the origin is thoroughly understood, people will pay more respect to the past’s legacy with honor to things we have today.
