Though used generally by the Romans to refer to any peoples north of Hadrian's Wall, “Picts” specifically describes the Celtic people dwelling in what is now northern and eastern Scotland. Originally a disorganized group of tribes, the Picts united into a confederation in the face of Roman expansion. Little is known about this great Celtic people. The name we know them by translates to “The painted people” and is not what they called themselves.

The Picts would fight nonstop against Roman rule and go on to help form the nation that would be called Scotland. Called savages and brutes by their wouldbe conquerors, the Picts were actually far more complex.
Unfortunately, the Picts did not keep extensive written records of their history. We have to rely on outside historians and storytellers to piece together an idea of who they were and how they lived.

We do know that they had their own language a unique dialect of the Celtic language group used across Britain. The Picts were also accomplished artists. Most of what we know about their material culture comes from silver jewelry artifacts and carved standing stones and crosses across Scotland.

As with most episodes in history, there are multiple sides to the story of the Picts. Known as accomplished warriors, the Picts were much more a complex people with a rich unique culture.

*** To learn more about the Picts, try one of these books:

The Picts: A History by Tim Clarkson
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...

In Search of the Picts: A Celtic Dark Age Nation by Elizabeth Sutherland
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...




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