Changes between Version 18 and Version 19 of Civ:_Celts


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Timestamp:
Aug 16, 2011, 4:59:42 AM (13 years ago)
Author:
michael
Comment:

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  • Civ:_Celts

    v18 v19  
    388388}}}
    389389=== VILLAGE ===
     390 * '''Generic Name: House'''
     391 * '''Specific Name: Tekes'''
     392   * '''Class: '''House.
     393   * '''History:''' Celtic homes varied between round wattle and daub homes, common most in the British Isles and northern Iberia, and wood-and-stone longhouses. Later, large tenements and apartments were built. Within a city, houses would be of excellent quality, many having running water. Even the later tenements in cities, intended for poor laborers who worked within the walls, typically had a communal running water connection, all connected to a central cistern that collected rainwater, purified through a granite sieve. These were most common in Gaul, though, as Britain was typically several decades behind in the south, and even a century or more the further north one went, as far as Celtic development went. An underground cess system would also connect these homes, based on modern archaeological findings. However, this is only within the cities. Outside, people lived on maintained, permanent farming estates; small villages built around a powerful aristocrat or low noble's home, with people who worked his fields, or in local shops and businesses catering to the inhabitants of the estate. While in both city and farming village houses often had basements, here they would lack running water, and are often found near running water, or irrigated in streams through the village for ease of water collection and rubbish disposal. Each home typically has a small shrine, to pray to a local god, the spirits of the home, and to the souls of ancestors, as well as cups. If tradition maintained in Gaelic and Brythonic cultures, these were for offerings to spirits, giving them wine or beer in exchange for good fortune, or at least to not be tormented by the less friendly among them. In Gaul, homes would vary between one and five rooms on average, discluding the basement. Upscale homes of the non-aristocratic class may have been fortunate enough to have a kitchen. All would probably have a hearth or firepit, and some simple floor matresses. Beds, while known among Celts, were largely only for the very wealthy, as their construction often included finally crafted wood and metal. There would also be, based on iron bands, be two washtubs, one for bathing, one for clothing, and soap was a common property item, crafted and sold in huge amounts, used for both bathing and washing clothing. The common Celtic family would have a fairly good standard of living; most Celts ate a handsome portion of meat compared to most contemporary societies, even if it was just offal for slaves and 'serfs'. Beer and mead was common, and recent examination even finds 'branding', implying mass production of alcohols from various families and regions, meaning the market could easily have been saturated, making the cost low enough even for a family of debtors able to afford a good cask of beer from time to time. Pets were common among Celts, particularly dogs, who would sleep inside with the family. Livestock would not though, as occured in some medieval societies, as Celts were known to build large, communal barns for the safe-keeping of everyone in the village's livestock, except for the headman and his family, who had their own barns and fields for the private care of their livestock.
     394
     395 * '''Generic Name: Farmstead'''
     396 * '''Specific Name: Simbalos'''
     397   * '''Class:''' Farmstead.
     398   * '''History:''' Farming typically revolved around small hamlets and farmsteads with enclosed rectilinear fields - each having areas of pasture, farmland and wood. Ploughing became more efficient with the arrival of the iron share and a two field rotation was introduced; crops one year followed by a fallow that was grazed by livestock. This lead to surprisingly high yields and fuelled population growth. Storage of crops was either in pits or in raised stores and harvest was over several months - weeds, grain and then straw. Farms would be worked mainly by a combination of freemen who aren't on campaign, 'serfs', male and female, and a huge number of slaves. Nobles would not engage in this activity, as Celtic nobles and other 'sacred' classes were forbidden manual labor, unless it was for war, or was a 'high craft'.
     399
     400 * '''Generic Name: Field'''
     401 * '''Specific Name: Varmo'''
     402   * '''Class: '''Field.
     403   * '''History: '''Wheat and barley were the main crops of the bronze age being grown for flour, straw, animal feed and malt for alcoholic drinks. Hay was grown for animal feed while straw was used for bedding, thatching and winter fodder. In the iron age, the range of crops grown had widened considerably since the early bronze age. Although the most important were wheat and barley, oats, tic beans, vetch, peas, rye, flax and fat hen were regularly grown. Celts also notably created many new strains of old crops, some now extinct, some still in use. Celts were excellent farmers, and the idea of them as savage barbarians has little bearing in many cases, farming particularly. Examining Celtic farming techniques, one finds a people who knew how to crossbreed strains, or enhance existing strains to adapt to new conditions. Celts particularly grew huge amounts of wheat, both as animal feed and for many breads they ate with their meals, or as entire meals combined, such as sausages and vegetables baked into bread, good for one on the move. A wealthy Celtic farmer could even potentially buy his way into nobility by selling his crops. Key to Celtic farming though were two classes. The Celtic equivalent of 'serfs' were not so constrained as later feudal equivalents, but were indebted to the farm's owner, and worked his fields to pay off these debts, which were increased by the farm's owner paying for their home, and a small pay for which the worker could buy necessities. The other would be slaves. Celtic slaves could not be harmed excessively, had to be fed, clothed, and housed, but could be traded as any other commodity, though while in service, they were paid, if only a tiny amount. Slaves' children would be 'part-slaves', and work the fields when grown enough, until they paid off their life price, then allowed free, though presumably most merely became serfs, and it'd be several more generations before they were freemen of the tribe.
     404
     405 * '''Generic Name: Corral'''
     406 * '''Specific Name: Cavalidos'''
     407   * '''Class: '''Corral.
     408   * '''History:''' Woven fences made from coppicing which are the tender shoots regrown from the stool of a tree after you chop it. Bronze age: Cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Cattle had always been important with pre-historic farmers but through the bronze age there was an increase in the importance of sheep and goats. These would have been kept for wool, milk and meat. The type of sheep were very similar to the Soay breed of today. Pigs and wild boar remains have been found in farmsteads. In the iron age: sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, poultry, geese and ducks. Horses were a new arrival in the farmsteads but they were not used for work so much as symbols of status. Most Celtic ranched equines were actually ponies. Large horses were for war or travel by established, wealthy people. Ponies were used for farming, as well as for war by the lower classes, who could not afford actual horses. Celts were also notable for crossbreeding 'similar' animals, creating the earliest mules in Europe, probably for farm labor and as pack animals.
     409
     410 * '''Generic Name: Mill'''
     411 * '''Specific Name: Sengula'''
     412   * '''Class:''' Mill.
     413   * '''History: '''In southern parts of the country, most of the wildwood had been cleared and given way to farming or coppice management. In northern parts, or where the ground was particularly unsuitable for agriculture, wildwood remained, but under constant threat. Land around the farmsteads was usually enclosed by hazel fencing or hedging. A major part of Celtic soldiery was derived by guards of stock buildings, barns, ranches, and fields. All of these were under threat from neighboring tribal raids, so trained combatants, not having wars to go to fight in, would work to guard them, and run off raiders. Further, these acted as doles during famines or wars. In a famous example of them being stretched between the two purposes, Vercingetorix retreated to Alesia, but their stores had been almost emptied to feed his army, and food was already scarce due to a poor season. The inability to provide food for the army and the city led to a terrible fate for the city's inhabitants, who were sent out to the Roman siegeworks, hoping to be taken by the Romans, possibly enslaved, but at least given food. The Romans left them to starve, hoping the defenders would reopen the gates, allowing an assault, but the Celts under Vercingetorix realized the plot, and they too left the non-combatants to starve to death. The soldiers were starved out before a second relief force could come to aide them due to the low stores, already earlier being bled so much, and Vercingetorix surrendered as to save them from the fate that had already met the citizens of Alesia.
     414
     415 * '''Generic Name: Celtic Tower'''
     416 * '''Specific Name: Tur'''
     417   * '''Class:''' Scout Tower.
     418   * '''History:''' Towers have a great mythic element in Celtic societies. Towers are found, fragmented as they may be, sometimes. The largest towers were the great caps to fortresses in Britain and Ireland, but towers are found in Celtic art on the continent. The most common were probably just to keep watch on places, as most remains are found along trade roads.
     419
     420=== TOWN ===
    390421 * '''Generic Name: Civic Centre '''
    391422 * '''Specific Name: Briga'''
     
    393424   * '''History:''' Briga in the language of the Gauls and southern Britons meant both 'hill' and 'town'. This is not mere coincidence; Celtic towns were built on hills for natural defenses, enhanced by earthworks and walls. The center of the town was typically at the hilltop. It would be a dwelling for the local leader, as well as lodging for his servants, his small private armory, an audience hall for discussing matters; political, legal, military, and economic.
    394425
    395  * '''Generic Name: House'''
    396  * '''Specific Name: Tekes'''
    397    * '''Class: '''House.
    398    * '''History:''' Celtic homes varied between round wattle and daub homes, common most in the British Isles and northern Iberia, and wood-and-stone longhouses. Later, large tenements and apartments were built. Within a city, houses would be of excellent quality, many having running water. Even the later tenements in cities, intended for poor laborers who worked within the walls, typically had a communal running water connection, all connected to a central cistern that collected rainwater, purified through a granite sieve. These were most common in Gaul, though, as Britain was typically several decades behind in the south, and even a century or more the further north one went, as far as Celtic development went. An underground cess system would also connect these homes, based on modern archaeological findings. However, this is only within the cities. Outside, people lived on maintained, permanent farming estates; small villages built around a powerful aristocrat or low noble's home, with people who worked his fields, or in local shops and businesses catering to the inhabitants of the estate. While in both city and farming village houses often had basements, here they would lack running water, and are often found near running water, or irrigated in streams through the village for ease of water collection and rubbish disposal. Each home typically has a small shrine, to pray to a local god, the spirits of the home, and to the souls of ancestors, as well as cups. If tradition maintained in Gaelic and Brythonic cultures, these were for offerings to spirits, giving them wine or beer in exchange for good fortune, or at least to not be tormented by the less friendly among them. In Gaul, homes would vary between one and five rooms on average, discluding the basement. Upscale homes of the non-aristocratic class may have been fortunate enough to have a kitchen. All would probably have a hearth or firepit, and some simple floor matresses. Beds, while known among Celts, were largely only for the very wealthy, as their construction often included finally crafted wood and metal. There would also be, based on iron bands, be two washtubs, one for bathing, one for clothing, and soap was a common property item, crafted and sold in huge amounts, used for both bathing and washing clothing. The common Celtic family would have a fairly good standard of living; most Celts ate a handsome portion of meat compared to most contemporary societies, even if it was just offal for slaves and 'serfs'. Beer and mead was common, and recent examination even finds 'branding', implying mass production of alcohols from various families and regions, meaning the market could easily have been saturated, making the cost low enough even for a family of debtors able to afford a good cask of beer from time to time. Pets were common among Celts, particularly dogs, who would sleep inside with the family. Livestock would not though, as occured in some medieval societies, as Celts were known to build large, communal barns for the safe-keeping of everyone in the village's livestock, except for the headman and his family, who had their own barns and fields for the private care of their livestock.
    399 
    400  * '''Generic Name: Farmstead'''
    401  * '''Specific Name: Simbalos'''
    402    * '''Class:''' Farmstead.
    403    * '''History:''' Farming typically revolved around small hamlets and farmsteads with enclosed rectilinear fields - each having areas of pasture, farmland and wood. Ploughing became more efficient with the arrival of the iron share and a two field rotation was introduced; crops one year followed by a fallow that was grazed by livestock. This lead to surprisingly high yields and fuelled population growth. Storage of crops was either in pits or in raised stores and harvest was over several months - weeds, grain and then straw. Farms would be worked mainly by a combination of freemen who aren't on campaign, 'serfs', male and female, and a huge number of slaves. Nobles would not engage in this activity, as Celtic nobles and other 'sacred' classes were forbidden manual labor, unless it was for war, or was a 'high craft'.
    404 
    405  * '''Generic Name: Field'''
    406  * '''Specific Name: Varmo'''
    407    * '''Class: '''Field.
    408    * '''History: '''Wheat and barley were the main crops of the bronze age being grown for flour, straw, animal feed and malt for alcoholic drinks. Hay was grown for animal feed while straw was used for bedding, thatching and winter fodder. In the iron age, the range of crops grown had widened considerably since the early bronze age. Although the most important were wheat and barley, oats, tic beans, vetch, peas, rye, flax and fat hen were regularly grown. Celts also notably created many new strains of old crops, some now extinct, some still in use. Celts were excellent farmers, and the idea of them as savage barbarians has little bearing in many cases, farming particularly. Examining Celtic farming techniques, one finds a people who knew how to crossbreed strains, or enhance existing strains to adapt to new conditions. Celts particularly grew huge amounts of wheat, both as animal feed and for many breads they ate with their meals, or as entire meals combined, such as sausages and vegetables baked into bread, good for one on the move. A wealthy Celtic farmer could even potentially buy his way into nobility by selling his crops. Key to Celtic farming though were two classes. The Celtic equivalent of 'serfs' were not so constrained as later feudal equivalents, but were indebted to the farm's owner, and worked his fields to pay off these debts, which were increased by the farm's owner paying for their home, and a small pay for which the worker could buy necessities. The other would be slaves. Celtic slaves could not be harmed excessively, had to be fed, clothed, and housed, but could be traded as any other commodity, though while in service, they were paid, if only a tiny amount. Slaves' children would be 'part-slaves', and work the fields when grown enough, until they paid off their life price, then allowed free, though presumably most merely became serfs, and it'd be several more generations before they were freemen of the tribe.
    409 
    410  * '''Generic Name: Corral'''
    411  * '''Specific Name: Cavalidos'''
    412    * '''Class: '''Corral.
    413    * '''History:''' Woven fences made from coppicing which are the tender shoots regrown from the stool of a tree after you chop it. Bronze age: Cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Cattle had always been important with pre-historic farmers but through the bronze age there was an increase in the importance of sheep and goats. These would have been kept for wool, milk and meat. The type of sheep were very similar to the Soay breed of today. Pigs and wild boar remains have been found in farmsteads. In the iron age: sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, poultry, geese and ducks. Horses were a new arrival in the farmsteads but they were not used for work so much as symbols of status. Most Celtic ranched equines were actually ponies. Large horses were for war or travel by established, wealthy people. Ponies were used for farming, as well as for war by the lower classes, who could not afford actual horses. Celts were also notable for crossbreeding 'similar' animals, creating the earliest mules in Europe, probably for farm labor and as pack animals.
    414 
    415  * '''Generic Name: Mill'''
    416  * '''Specific Name: Sengula'''
    417    * '''Class:''' Mill.
    418    * '''History: '''In southern parts of the country, most of the wildwood had been cleared and given way to farming or coppice management. In northern parts, or where the ground was particularly unsuitable for agriculture, wildwood remained, but under constant threat. Land around the farmsteads was usually enclosed by hazel fencing or hedging. A major part of Celtic soldiery was derived by guards of stock buildings, barns, ranches, and fields. All of these were under threat from neighboring tribal raids, so trained combatants, not having wars to go to fight in, would work to guard them, and run off raiders. Further, these acted as doles during famines or wars. In a famous example of them being stretched between the two purposes, Vercingetorix retreated to Alesia, but their stores had been almost emptied to feed his army, and food was already scarce due to a poor season. The inability to provide food for the army and the city led to a terrible fate for the city's inhabitants, who were sent out to the Roman siegeworks, hoping to be taken by the Romans, possibly enslaved, but at least given food. The Romans left them to starve, hoping the defenders would reopen the gates, allowing an assault, but the Celts under Vercingetorix realized the plot, and they too left the non-combatants to starve to death. The soldiers were starved out before a second relief force could come to aide them due to the low stores, already earlier being bled so much, and Vercingetorix surrendered as to save them from the fate that had already met the citizens of Alesia.
    419 
    420  * '''Generic Name: Celtic Tower'''
    421  * '''Specific Name: Tur'''
    422    * '''Class:''' Scout Tower.
    423    * '''History:''' Towers have a great mythic element in Celtic societies. Towers are found, fragmented as they may be, sometimes. The largest towers were the great caps to fortresses in Britain and Ireland, but towers are found in Celtic art on the continent. The most common were probably just to keep watch on places, as most remains are found along trade roads.
     426 * '''Generic Name: Dock'''
     427 * '''Specific Name: Nembalos'''
     428   * '''Class:''' Dock.
     429   * '''History:''' Major Celtic ports existed in Armorica, two in southern Britain, two in Ireland, and several in southern Gaul.
     430
     431 * '''Generic Name: Temple'''
     432 * '''Specific Name: Nemeton'''
     433   * '''Class:''' Temple.
     434   * '''History:''' Celtic temples were complex affairs and seperate from hospitals and asylums. However, if this is meant to be a temple, the Gallic temple should appear similar to a Hellenic temple, but made of stone and oak wood, and wood pillars, but no walls, elevated about four feet off the ground, with a votive pool near it. A maintained grove would be within the complex as well, which would be fenced off and surrounded with a ditch. A maintained British temple was typically a round wood building with an opening in the center through which grew an oak or yew tree.
     435
     436 * '''Generic Name: Barracks'''
     437 * '''Specific Name: Amoridas'''
     438   * '''Class:''' Barracks.
     439   * '''History:''' Figured to have it represent an armory; these were common, and not all Celts (truthfully, not even most) had to provide their own weapons. Just, they had to provide their own GOOD weapons and armor, but mass-produced spears and javelins and shields were distributed freely at need. The possession of a armory by the local lord was considered quite prestigious among the Celts, especially the larger examples found in Gaul that could maintain armies.
     440
     441 * '''Generic Name: Market'''
     442 * '''Specific Name: Merras Tekesa'''
     443   * '''Class:''' Market.
     444   * '''History:''' Efficient farming led to food surpluses and a developing social hierarchy through the period with administration and power centred on the hill forts. Trade would have been buoyant with Europe; exported corn, cattle hides, tin, gold and iron in exchange for wine and olive oil. The first coins appeared although they were more items of wealth and status than trade. There is evidence too of standardised pottery and this suggests that weights and measures were controlled to provide consistency in trade.
    424445
    425446 * '''Generic Name: Gallic Wall'''
     
    430451     * '''Turf Resistance:''' Higher resistance to Ram attacks, but more susceptible to ranged siege and fiery attacks than conventional stone walls.
    431452     * '''Bank Protection:''' Ranged units can walk up to the bank of the wall and attack from above, but without the protection of wall towers. Due to their limited range attacks, they will have to leave the safety of the base and and meet in the open any opponent attacking from a distance.
    432 
    433 === TOWN ===
    434  * '''Generic Name: Dock'''
    435  * '''Specific Name: Nembalos'''
    436    * '''Class:''' Dock.
    437    * '''History:''' Major Celtic ports existed in Armorica, two in southern Britain, two in Ireland, and several in southern Gaul.
    438 
    439  * '''Generic Name: Temple'''
    440  * '''Specific Name: Nemeton'''
    441    * '''Class:''' Temple.
    442    * '''History:''' Celtic temples were complex affairs and seperate from hospitals and asylums. However, if this is meant to be a temple, the Gallic temple should appear similar to a Hellenic temple, but made of stone and oak wood, and wood pillars, but no walls, elevated about four feet off the ground, with a votive pool near it. A maintained grove would be within the complex as well, which would be fenced off and surrounded with a ditch. A maintained British temple was typically a round wood building with an opening in the center through which grew an oak or yew tree.
    443 
    444  * '''Generic Name: Barracks'''
    445  * '''Specific Name: Amoridas'''
    446    * '''Class:''' Barracks.
    447    * '''History:''' Figured to have it represent an armory; these were common, and not all Celts (truthfully, not even most) had to provide their own weapons. Just, they had to provide their own GOOD weapons and armor, but mass-produced spears and javelins and shields were distributed freely at need. The possession of a armory by the local lord was considered quite prestigious among the Celts, especially the larger examples found in Gaul that could maintain armies.
    448 
    449  * '''Generic Name: Market'''
    450  * '''Specific Name: Merras Tekesa'''
    451    * '''Class:''' Market.
    452    * '''History:''' Efficient farming led to food surpluses and a developing social hierarchy through the period with administration and power centred on the hill forts. Trade would have been buoyant with Europe; exported corn, cattle hides, tin, gold and iron in exchange for wine and olive oil. The first coins appeared although they were more items of wealth and status than trade. There is evidence too of standardised pottery and this suggests that weights and measures were controlled to provide consistency in trade.
    453453
    454454=== CITY ===