Although comprised of many distinct tribes and groupings, the Celts
shared a distinctive culture that dominated much of Europe for
centuries. They enjoyed a formidable reputation as fierce and brave
warriors, skilled horsemen and fine metalworkers. In 390 BC an alliance
of Celtic tribes defeated a Roman army at the River Allia and went on to
sack Rome and thenceforth the Romans lived under their threat. In the
early third century BC a Celtic army swept into Macedonia and Greece,
won a major victory at Thermopylai and ransacked the sacred sanctuary at
Delphi. Such was their warlike prowess that, when not fighting their own
wars, they were sought after as mercenaries by many armies, serving as
far afield as southern Egypt. When the Romans invaded Gaul (France and
Belgium) and the British Isles, Celtic armies resisted them fiercely.
Gabriele Esposito studies this fascinating warrior culture, their
armies, strategy, tactics and equipment (they invented the horned saddle
and chainmail, and British armies were the last in Europe to use
chariots on the battlefield). Dozens of color photographs of reenactors
help bring these magnificent warriors back to life.