Celtic Mythology - Amazing Myths and Legends of Gods, Heroes and Monsters from the Ancient Irish and Welsh #911827

In the early centuries, Celtic mythology survived as a primarily oral tradition, influenced significantly by the geography of its lands. Sagas and legends were passed down from one generation to the next through storytelling; only after the Roman conquest were some of these myths recorded in writing. This was often done by Christian monks closer to the 11th century, who recorded the stories themselves but stripped away the original beliefs and earlier religious overtones.
The ancient Celts were neither a race nor a nation. They were a varied people bound together by language, customs, and religion rather than any centralized government.
We are talking about a vast and variegated culture that made its presence felt from the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and Ireland to the frontiers of Liguria in Italy and the upper Danube. Suffice it to say, their mythology instead reflected this multifaceted scope, with various tribes, chiefdoms, and even later kingdoms having their own sets of folklore and pantheons.
That means that 'the Celts' doesn't describe a single cohesive group of people.
The existence of the Celts was first documented in the seventh or eighth century B.C. The Roman Empire, which ruled much of southern Europe at the time, referred to the Celts as "Galli," meaning "barbarians."
However, the Celts were far from being barbarians, and many aspects of their culture and language have endured through the centuries.
The ancient Celts had a rich mythology comprising hundreds of tales. Adventure, heroism, romance, and magic are among the elements that make Celtic mythology one of the most fascinating mythologies in Europe.
Celtic mythology comes from several regions and different tribes. The bulk of them are from Ireland and Wales.
Early Irish myths blend mythology and history by describing how different Celtic deities and humans settled Ireland. Filled with magic and excitement, the tales tell of battles between forces of light and darkness. They described a time when gods lived not in the heavens but on earth, using their powers to create a civilization in Ireland and bring fertility to the land.
There are four cycles, or groups, of connected stories. The Mythological Cycle focuses on the activities of the Celtic gods, describing how five races of supernatural beings battled to gain control of Ireland. The chief god was Dagda, whose magic cauldron could bring the dead back to life. The Ulster Cycle recounts the deeds of warriors and heroes, especially Cuchulain, the warrior and champion of Ireland. The Historical Cycle tells of the adventures and battles of legendary Irish kings. The Fenian Cycle deals with the heroic Finn Mac Cumhail, or Finn Mac Cool, leader of a band of bold warriors known as the Fianna. This cycle is filled with exciting adventures and tales of hand-to-hand combat.
Welsh mythology is found in the Mabinogion, a collection of 11 tales. In Welsh myths, as in Ireland, the heroes are often half-human and half-divine, and may possess magical powers. Many of the stories in the Mabinogion deal with Arthurian legends, accounts of the deeds of Britain's heroic King Arthur and his knights.