Hillforts and Oppida


One of the defining structures of Celtic society was the oppidum. An oppidum was a fortress like structure built near Celtic surroundings, often to protect farming communities, mining operations, or manufacturing ooperations. The oppida were built in a berrm, usually following the lay of the land.


Oppida were found throughout Celtica, from the Danube valleys and French countryside to the Bohemian and Danubian lands of the East. the use of the oppida was in direct relationship with the amount of warfare faced on a regular basis. For instance, in the interior of Gaul, there were few oppida that were built before the Roman invasion, indicating that the tribes felt no great fear of invasion or attack.

Hiilforts were to be found in abundance in the British Isles, especially after the coming of the Romans. Many had most likely gone into disuse for a number of years, and were resurrected for the defense of the lands by the British tribes.

One area that had a number of hillforts were the areas of the modern Netherlands. The Belgae, the inhabitantys of the area, were probably the fiercest of the Celtic tribes. Their close proximiyt to the Germaninc tribes kept them in a semi-permanent warlike stance. The north coast was also the scene of a number of sea based invasions.

The sites of many of the oppida often grew into modern European cities. Among them were Budapest, Belgrade, and Paris.

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Burial Rites| Who Were the Celts?| La Tene|Halstaat
Burial Rites| TORCS| Hillforts and Oppida
Boudicca and the Romans| Druids||Social Classes
Terrifying Helmets|Arms And Weaponry|Gods and Goddesses
Were the Celts Illiterate?|European Celtic Place Names