Monsters of Gallic myth and legend

This isn't a direct question related to the game, more a historical one. Do we have any records or accounts of Gallic myth and legend? I'm particularly interested in anything that could be classified as a "monster" from old lore.

Is there anything that qualifies?

Didn't elves come from gallic lore, along with things like wood sprites and such?
Also, wasn't the cliche demon concept from the Middle Ages from Europe and not from the Near East and/or Judism?

There are a number of books on Celtic Mythology. I own a couple myself, although they are packed in a closet that i cannot get to without waking my family up. You should check at a local bookstore or library...

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

Didn't elves come from gallic lore, along with things like wood sprites and such?

Elves have a germanic origin, not a celtic one.

I thought elves were Irish.

To hand I can't think of any certain monsters in Gallic/Celtic/Gaelic mythology. The likes of the sidh (Irish fairies or elves) and giants could just as well be 'otherworld' spirits and therefore potentially gods as much as monsters.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf

Originally Posted by Cartaphilus

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf

Quite clearly says even in that article that they're Germanic, not Celtic.

What about stuff like the banshee or other things monstrous, rather than simply otherwordly?

Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

What about stuff like the banshee or other things monstrous, rather than simply otherwordly?

Not to draw too fine a point,
but the banshee was not Gallic, and using a strict definition of the Classical term, they were not Celtic. However, many Gaulish and Gallic mythic elements were later morphed into somewhat monstrous fabrications within the framework of Judeochristian monotheism. For example the Gaulish/Gallic Ogmios, or 'the silver tongued (devil),' elements of which were incorperated into the modern Christian concept (in part) of Satan (a character that could be viewed as a monster of sorts).

what about korrigans and ankou then ?

Much of what today is considered 'Celtic' is actually mostly Irish and some Scottish myths, as well as Welsh stories, legends, etc... Sadly it was only those places alone that escaped the the full effects of the Roman take over, although Wales kept its language despite being included into the Roman empire.

Were it not for the Celtic monks recording what stories they knew of the older pre Christian era, we'd really be in trouble. Its great to know IMHO at at least the Celtic languages are still holding their own somewhat and those languaes provide some measure of deciphering the Celtic past too

Aye, me auld lad, an' dinna ya ken about the bluidy leprechauns!

Mixing Scotts English, with Erienic Imps, no doubt bound to produce, one hell of a hangover??? Neither Gaulish, Gallic, mythic, nor in all truth, even a wee bit Kelt. Indeed no ancient myth, rather a far more recent invention of wit, strong drink, and a bent sense of humor.

When i'm high i do see hobbits, gnomes and dragons, as well rainbows, and magic stars and little talking animals..... when i'm sain i just see the gnomes






LOL
joking

Well then...

...just say no to them gnomes.

Originally Posted by cmacq

Well then...

...just say no to them gnomes.

But there's a lot of them.....and they are green, ohh my gosh

XD

I found a link to this page on "Gallic Monsters".

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=...sult#PPA202,M1

The Three Horned Bull, the Ram-Headed Serpent and the monstrous Boar would all make wonderful fanatsy units.

The so-called Tarasque de Noves - a sort of people-eating cross between a hound and a tyrannosaurus: http://www.musee-lapidaire.org/fr/ta...-de-noves.html