The Irish are Not Celts

[Riastradh]

Oudysseos, first I neither stated that the Irish definately came from Iberia, nor did I say that the culture of iron age Ireland was not celtic in any way. I never stated that my argument was 100% fact and that there is no other way. I was simply trying to point out the use of the term "Celt or Celtic" for the ethnic Irish is not a proper term. I also never said that Gael was the best term, I simply stated that it was more appropriate and it is. Gael refers to people of Irish, Scottish and Manx ethnicity or peoples who speak Gaelic(Irish,Scottish,Manx). Celt, while now is being used very generally, was and is a term used to denote the ethnic people of Gaul and theirs that expanded outward.

In my descriptions of Celt and Gael I did include as much info which is accurate. In my description of Gael, I also included that fact that the Irish were called the Scoti/Scotti by the Romans, though admittedly didn't make that clear enough. In my response to Blitz I also said that they could be called Scotti, Cruithne, Hibernian w/e as they are all more proper designations for the Irish people. Celtic Punk may be right about the different tribes of Gaul trying to distinguish themselves from one another, but I think he overlooks the fact that it is very likely that the would have all refered to themselves as Gauls/Celtae/Gaulish. Especially considering they united to fight Gaius Julius Caesar and the Roman conquest of Gaul.

My whole reason for this thread is that I believe Celtic/Celt or anything thereof is not the right term when refering to Irish units. I have stated this, backed it up with a real description of what a Celt was and is, and given some alternatives. You don't have to necessarily choose from those alternatives as there could be a more accurate term. Just because some people use Celt/Celtic as general terms about any peoples who spoke a celtic language or had some celtic parts of their culture doesn't mean that's what Celt/Celtic actually mean. Those are modern usages nothing more and would definately not have been used for such in the Iron Age. In the Roman empire, a great many people would have spoken latin. However, a great many of those people were not Romans, nor did they consider themselves to be.

Lastly, concerning myself saying that Blitz's post was an attack, that may have been a little over the top. However, telling someone that they don't know what they're talking about, or that you don't think/believe they know what they're talking about, is really just a more polite way of saying you think/believe someone is stupid and/or ignorant. It was a rude thing to say and I believe it was quite uncalled for.