11-22-2006, 02:48 PM
I am more and more inclined to think that the "Kelts" called themselves like that, with variations due to regional accents.(Kael, Gal, Gaul, Gael etc.)
The Romans called them "Galli" because it was the closest latin word they could find. There was probably a pun intended.
Indeed Caesar did not write that the Kelts were given that name by the Greeks. He specifically states that they called themselves by that name.
A case in point: the Galatians. It is pronounced "galaytians" in english but I suspect it was pronounced "Gael'tians" (Galtoi) and that looks much closer to "Keltoi".
I noticed that because my first name is Pascal (hard "P", hard "C") whereas in the Middle East --including Turkey, former Galatia/Gaeltia), it is pronounced "Basgal".
So, "Keltoi" is the same as "Galtoi". Just a difference in accent.
My two and a half cents worth...
Pascal Sabas.
The Romans called them "Galli" because it was the closest latin word they could find. There was probably a pun intended.
Indeed Caesar did not write that the Kelts were given that name by the Greeks. He specifically states that they called themselves by that name.
A case in point: the Galatians. It is pronounced "galaytians" in english but I suspect it was pronounced "Gael'tians" (Galtoi) and that looks much closer to "Keltoi".
I noticed that because my first name is Pascal (hard "P", hard "C") whereas in the Middle East --including Turkey, former Galatia/Gaeltia), it is pronounced "Basgal".
So, "Keltoi" is the same as "Galtoi". Just a difference in accent.
My two and a half cents worth...
Pascal Sabas.
Pascal Sabas
