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Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend
The ancient Celts were the greatest and most powerful of the early European peoples residing north of the Alps. Warlike, exuberant, and superstitious, they saw divinities in every facet of life and nature, venerating deities of the sun, thunder, water, war, healing, hunting, fertility, and death. They practiced human and animal sacrifice, and a powerful priesthood--the Druids--presided over much of their religious life. The Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend covers every aspect of Celtic myth, religion, and folklore in Britain and Europe between 500 BC and AD 400. In parallel with the fruits of archaeological research, the testimony of Classical writers and the earliest recorded versions of the pagan oral traditions of Wales and Ireland provide us with a complete overview of Celtic lore. This guide presents that knowledge in over 400 copiously illustrated articles, together with a comprehensive historical introduction.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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About the author
Miranda Aldhouse-Green
36Ìýbooks87ÌýfollowersMiranda Green was born in London and educated at Greycoat Hospital, Westminster. She took an Honours degree at University College, Cardiff and an M. Litt. at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. She gained a research scholarship at the Open University and was awarded a doctorate in 1981 for her thesis on Romano-Celtic sun-symbolism. She has received research awards from the Society of Antiquities of London and from the British Academy, and was awarded the Leverhulme Research Fellowship at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. After holding posts at Worthing and Peterborough Museums, she took up posts as Tutor in Roman Studies and full-time administrator at the Open University in Wales.
Until recently professor of archaeology at Newport University, Miranda's teaching experience ranges from leading undergraduate courses on Roman Britain and Iron Age Europe to managing and contributing to Newport's MA in Celto-Roman Studies. She has supervised more than twenty PhD and MPhil students to successful completion.
Miranda Aldhouse-Green is Tutor for the MA Archaeology programme, and is module leader for three of the MA skills modules (Research Methods, Writing Archaeology/Writing the Past and Speaking Archaeology). She lectures on Early Celtic Studies and contributes to the third-year undergraduate Theory course.
External responsibilities include membership of the Ancient Monuments Advisory Board for Wales, presidency of the Prehistoric Society (2004-6) and membership of the management board of the University of Wales Press.
Until recently professor of archaeology at Newport University, Miranda's teaching experience ranges from leading undergraduate courses on Roman Britain and Iron Age Europe to managing and contributing to Newport's MA in Celto-Roman Studies. She has supervised more than twenty PhD and MPhil students to successful completion.
Miranda Aldhouse-Green is Tutor for the MA Archaeology programme, and is module leader for three of the MA skills modules (Research Methods, Writing Archaeology/Writing the Past and Speaking Archaeology). She lectures on Early Celtic Studies and contributes to the third-year undergraduate Theory course.
External responsibilities include membership of the Ancient Monuments Advisory Board for Wales, presidency of the Prehistoric Society (2004-6) and membership of the management board of the University of Wales Press.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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July 28, 2013Good basic dictionary with nice illustrations.
Found myself more than a little annoyed by this description of Medb, though:
"She is promiscuous, mating with at least nine mortal kings and refusing to allow any king to rule in Tara who has not first mated with her. One of her consorts is Ferghus, a hero of extreme virility, who needs seven ordinary women (or Medb) to satisfy him."
The negative word 'promiscuous' is applied to Medb (because of the ritual joining of immortal land-goddess and current mortal king), but Ferghus - sexing seven women apparently in a group - is 'virile' and 'satisfied', with no negative implication.
Found myself more than a little annoyed by this description of Medb, though:
"She is promiscuous, mating with at least nine mortal kings and refusing to allow any king to rule in Tara who has not first mated with her. One of her consorts is Ferghus, a hero of extreme virility, who needs seven ordinary women (or Medb) to satisfy him."
The negative word 'promiscuous' is applied to Medb (because of the ritual joining of immortal land-goddess and current mortal king), but Ferghus - sexing seven women apparently in a group - is 'virile' and 'satisfied', with no negative implication.
March 5, 2019
uno dei problemi che ho spesso avuto quando mi occupavo di mitologia celtica era quello di ritrovare oscure divinità di cui si sapeva poco o nulla. Questo dizionario assolve ottimamente al compito, specificando le fonti, l'area di culto e spesso dando qualche dato in più quali sinonimi e parallelismi tra diversi ma simili culti.
Anche abbastanza ricco di figure, purtroppo per lo più minuscole.
Anche abbastanza ricco di figure, purtroppo per lo più minuscole.
January 14, 2023
An excellent, handy resource. Green's books are always a mine of information, and this one is no exception. Each entry is clear and concise, and the whole book makes good use of archaeological evidence, Classical documentary sources, and Irish and Welsh literature. The bulk of information relates to the evidence for religious belief and practice across Iron Age Europe, including gods, key locations, as well as common symbols, concepts, etc. There are also details on the major figures and motifs of Insular literature.
If I had a quibble, it's that it could have benefitted from some good, high-quality colour photographs. The ones in the book are all in black and white, making it hard sometimes to make out the details being pointed out.
If I had a quibble, it's that it could have benefitted from some good, high-quality colour photographs. The ones in the book are all in black and white, making it hard sometimes to make out the details being pointed out.
July 4, 2018
An excellent book for anyone who wants to study and gain a greater understanding of celtic mythology. Given the spread of the celts there is a large cross over with other civilizations such as the Romans and the Norse peoples
May 16, 2022
5 stars for detail and amazing information about anything Celtic with a primary resource.
September 6, 2022
Excellent reference book.
January 10, 2022
A wonderful reference book.
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January 17, 2008It's on my to-read shelf because I haven't read the whole thing. Please, I'm not going to start reading dictionaries!
Read
March 22, 2018A little hard to read... especially with the abundance of Welsh words.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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