Watch The Celtic World

Name: The Celtic World
Released: 2018-03-30
Cast: Jennifer Paxton

2018
1 Season

The Celtic World from The Great Courses Signature Collection is a fascinating journey through the history, culture, and mythology of the ancient Celtic people. Presented by historian and educator Jennifer Paxton, this comprehensive course explores the rich and diverse traditions of the Celts, from their origins in the Bronze Age to their enduring influence in modern times.

Over the course of 24 fascinating lectures, Paxton provides a detailed overview of Celtic society, from its political structures and religious practices to its art, literature, and music. She also delves into the mythology and folklore of the Celts, examining their beliefs in gods and goddesses, spirits and monsters, and the sacred landscapes that formed the backdrop of their lives.

One of the key themes of the course is the way in which the Celts interacted with other cultures, both through trade and commerce and through military conquest. Paxton shows how the Celts established close ties with the Greeks, Romans, and other Mediterranean civilizations, absorbing elements of their art, architecture, and philosophy while maintaining their own unique identity.

At the same time, she explores the complex relationships between the Celts and their neighbors, including the Gauls, Britons, and Picts. Through vivid storytelling and detailed historical analysis, Paxton brings to life the conflicts, alliances, and cultural exchanges that shaped the fortunes of the Celtic people over the centuries.

Along the way, viewers will gain a deep understanding of the many different facets of Celtic culture. They'll learn about the role of bards and storytellers in preserving the cultural memory of the Celts, the importance of sacred sites like Stonehenge and Newgrange, and the complexities of Celtic art and symbolism.

Throughout the course, Paxton uses a wide range of visual aids to bring the material to life. She showcases beautiful examples of Celtic art, including intricate metalwork, illuminated manuscripts, and stone carvings. She also takes viewers on virtual tours of important archaeological sites, such as the Hill of Tara in Ireland and the Glauberg in Germany.

Ultimately, The Celtic World is a fascinating and inspiring journey into one of the world's most enduring and dynamic cultures. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of mythology and folklore, or simply curious about the world around you, this course is sure to captivate and enlighten. With Jennifer Paxton as your guide, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation of the richness and complexity of the Celtic world, and a renewed sense of wonder at the power of human creativity and imagination.

The Celtic World is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (24 episodes). The series first aired on March 30, 2018.

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Seasons

24. The Celts Today

March 30, 2018

In the final lecture, end your 2,500-year journey with the Celts by considering the Celtic nations in the 21st century. Bilingualism, modern Celtic pop culture, and renewed nationalist groups pushing for political autonomy are merely the tip of the iceberg in this satisfying conclusion to a truly epic history of culture, politics, and warfare.

23. Celtic Music and Dance

March 30, 2018

Celtic instruments come to life in this lecture. Take a music lesson and learn about the carnyx, a war trumpet; the bodhrán, a hand drum; and the crwth, a lyre played with a bow. Treat your ears to samples of these and beautiful Irish singing, then watch clips of delightful Celtic dances based on classic traditions.

22. The Gaelic Revival in Ireland

March 30, 2018

Compared to the fun-loving and historically focused revival of Celtic culture in Scotland and Wales, Ireland's Celtic revival had more of a political edge. Ancient Irish mythology played a surprising role in the growth of Irish nationalism that led to conflict and ultimately to independence from Britain.

21. (Re) Discovering the Celts

March 30, 2018

Just as the Tudors were conquering Ireland, linguistic studies of the Celtic languages began and a new fascination with the Celts slowly emerged. Witness the resurgence of mythological Celtic tales and the revival of the tartan after it was briefly banned by the British; see how fascination with the druids and Welsh bards created a newly confident Welsh identity.

20. The Tudor Conquest of Ireland

March 30, 2018

After Henry VIII denounced Catholicism, England tried repeatedly to bring Ireland into its fold. With Catholicism and Protestantism at odds, Irish chieftains were caught in the middle: the English offered land deals in exchange for shedding their Irish culture and heritage. Witness the aftermath when a historic powder keg exploded, with devastating losses on both sides.

19. Politics and Literature in Wales

March 30, 2018

Unveil the turbulent story of English conquest in Wales with this insightful glimpse into Welsh history that includes the unfortunate influence of misplaced loyalty to family that cost the Welsh their sovereignty forever. Then, look at Welsh literature, particularly the wonderful but enigmatic myths of the Mabinogi and the witty poems of Dafydd ap Gwilym.

18. Scotland from Macbeth to Braveheart

March 30, 2018

How do Shakespeare and Hollywood stack up against the truth in some of the fictional accounts of Scotland's history? Learn about the historical Macbeth and William Wallace (of Braveheart fame), as well as the famous ruler Robert Bruce, who secured Scottish independence from the invading English.

17. English Invasions of Wales and Ireland

March 30, 2018

Get a glimpse of the life of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, one of the most influential Welsh rulers, who briefly unified the country 1,000 years ago. Uncover the shocking truth of Henry II's invasion of Ireland and its causes as well as anti-Irish propaganda and the development of cruel stereotypes that influenced English views of the Irish down to the modern period.

16. The Irish Sea World: Celts and Vikings

March 30, 2018

By the turn of the first millennium A.D., we find ample evidence of Viking presence in both Ireland and Scotland. From raids to intermarriages, the Celtic-Scandinavian relationship is a stranger-than-fiction love-hate saga any history buff can appreciate.

15. Celtic Women, Families, and Social Structure

March 30, 2018

Irish society treated all disputes as civil suits between families - so if your cousin killed someone, you had to pay some of the damages, which varied with the social status of the victim. Gain a fascinating insight into the hierarchical structure of this period and women's roles in society as well.

14. Medieval Irish Literature

March 30, 2018

The early Irish prized literary skill just as much as prowess in warfare, and lords were judged by the quality of poet they could hire. This lecture gives a glimpse into the diverse genres of Irish literature, from epics about mythological heroes to exciting tales designed to warn kings about the dangers of ruling unjustly.

13. Celtic Art and Insular Art

March 30, 2018

Native Britons copied much of the art style prominent on the continent, complicating the process of defining Celtic art, but Professor Paxton unties this intricate knot. Observe some of Ireland's most breathtaking religious and secular art pieces, from the Book of Kells to the Tara Brooch.

12. Celtic Churches

March 30, 2018

The melding of pagan religions and Christianity is a compelling tale. St. Patrick's legendary priesthood and missionary work are discussed, as is the Christian saint Brigid, who was remolded as a nature deity to impress the recently converted Irish. Learn how Irish monks brought Latin learning back to the European continent and "saved civilization."

11. Brittany and Galicia: Fringe of the Fringe

March 30, 2018

See how both France and Spain welcomed immigrants from a rapidly de-Romanizing Britain. Brittany became a thriving Celtic province that maintained its autonomy through the Middle Ages, while Galicia mostly lost its Celtic identity until a revival of interest in modern times.

10. Celtic Britain after Rome

March 30, 2018

North and west of what today is England, where the Romans held far less influence, a paradoxical era of both peaceful immigration and rebellion added to the melting pot of Britain in the first millennium A.D. Discover Cornwall, Wales, and parts of Scotland with a quick appearance of one of Britain's noblest legends: King Arthur.

9. Prehistoric Ireland and the Celts

March 30, 2018

An early Irish text called The Book of Invasions is the basis for this truly unique look back at the origins of Ireland and its people. In equal parts weird, fascinating, and humorous, this text tells of one-armed pirate giants, descendants of Noah, a tribe of sorcerers, and six full-scale takeovers of Ireland.

8. Celts and Picts in Scotland

March 30, 2018

With a Romanized southern Britain, what was life like in Scotland? Meet the warring tribes of Picts that ruled North Britain, with the Irish to the west and Angles moving in from the southeast. Highlights include the ancient Pictish tongue and the truth about William "Braveheart" Wallace and all that blue paint.

7. Celtic Britain and Roman Britain

March 30, 2018

Professor Paxton uses the theory of trade-based migration to first explain the arrival of the Celts influence in Britain before the arrival of the Romans. Then she details the exciting struggle between the Celts and the Romans over Britain, untangling the web of history on the island during the first and second centuries A.D.

6. Celtic Religion and the Druids

March 30, 2018

Celtic religious beliefs included divination, reincarnation, and human sacrifice. Along with these practices, discover the ancient religious figures known as druids who served as holy men, soothsayers, and even lawyers. Enjoy this insight into the Celtic version of one constant that appears in all civilizations - the sacred.

5. Caesar and the Gauls

March 30, 2018

Several centuries of violent combat against Celtic-controlled Gaul made northern Italy and southern France a dangerous neighborhood for the Romans. Hannibal, Gaius Marius, and Spartacus are just some of the famous figures of world history who encounter the Gauls in this lecture centered on Julius Caesar's wars against the Gauls.

4. Celtic Languages in the Ancient World

March 30, 2018

The discovery of Celtic inscriptions on the western coast of Spain suggests the possible development of a common language along maritime Celtic trade routes, revolutionizing studies of Celtic origins and migration. The long-standing theory of Central European Celtic origins may die out thanks to new linguistic evidence.

3. Celtic Art and Artifacts

March 30, 2018

Archaeological studies of Celtic artifacts have woven a rich tapestry of their millennia-old society and its La Tène art style. Learn about war trumpets, gold necklaces, ornate helmets, and other recovered objects from around Europe to build an image of this ever-adapting culture and its connections to the classical world.

2. The Celts and the Classical World

March 30, 2018

Our earliest written records of the Celts come from Italy, Greece, and Spain, dating as far back as the 6th century B.C. Although scholarly theories about the Celts' migration throughout Europe conflict, the foundation of our understanding of their origins is laid bare here, peppered with several curious historic anecdotes.

1. Who Are the Celts?

March 30, 2018

Professor Paxton begins this lively history course by examining the common preconceptions about Celtic identity - before smashing them to bits. The first lecture paints the initial brushstrokes on the gargantuan canvas of this European culture most widely perceived as Scottish and Irish while promising much more. #History

Description

Where to Watch The Celtic World

The Celtic World is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Celtic World on demand at Apple TV Channels and Amazon Prime and Amazon.