The Celts

Maier’s approach is not limited to the pre-Christian era, which makes this book especially attractive. The author highlights the influential presence of Celts during the Middle Ages, where Irish monks played a crucial role as Christian missionaries. Looking at the legend of King Arthur, Maier acknowledges their contribution to world literature. Moreover, he describes the context and emergence of contemporary ideas about the ‚Celtic‘ and their problematic ideological appropriations. The volume concludes with Celtic history and language from the early modern period up to the present, including the conflict in Northern Ireland and the establishment of Scottish and Welsh regional parliaments by the end of the last century.