A series of eight broadcasts
Introduced by DR. ANNE Ross
4: Pagan Celtic Religion
A far-flung people, the Celts encountered a variety of cultural influences. There is nevertheless a sufficient unity in their cult practices and imagery to allow us to speak of pagan Celtic religion, and to detect an underlying universality in their beliefs. The Celts evolved a splendid art. Using the sacred water birds and sun symbols of Bronze Age Europe, together with Persian and Scythian animal art and classical plant forms, they turned them into a unique and pleasing style. This was to develop a distinctive quality in the British Isles, and to emerge again after the collapse of the Roman Empire. to become the familiar art of early Christian metalwork and manuscript. Produced by Adrian Johnson
Study notes are available
Second broadcast