WARRIOR HISTORY,
LEGEND, MIND AND BODY FOR THE CELTIC POLYTHEIST
“The whole race,
which is now called Gallic or Galatic, is madly fond of war, high-spirited and
quick to battle, but otherwise straightforward and not of evil character,”
wrote Strabo. Ammianus Marcellinus noted, “A whole troop of foreigners would
not be able to withstand a single Gaul if he called his wife to his assistance,
who is usually very strong.” The Roman observations tend to focus on the
fighting prowess of the Celts and many of the legends revolve around the
various wars both on the mainland as well as the Gael Isles. From Brennus
terrorizing Rome with the Senones to the
Iceni Queen
Boudica’s revolt against Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus to Brian
Bóroimhe and his fight for a more than the ceremonial High King of Ireland
title, it’s clear that war for the Celtic tribes held much importance.
The focus of this course
is in understanding the world of the Warrior both ancient and modern. A Warrior
spends their life in constant physical and mental training for combat. Some
choose to make it their profession through serving in the military or law
enforcement while others travel the path through martial arts and weapons
training. Whether the Warrior was the ancient Celt representing their tribe, is
the modern police officer representing their city, or the civilian defending
their family and friends, a Warrior’s goal is always the same - to live and die
with honor.
The student will
choose two books from each listed category, writing both a summary for each and
one thesis paper per section (with the exception of the Women Warriors section
to which they will only be required to read one book with no thesis paper
required). If the student takes an interest in a book not listed that would fit
in any of the listed categories, they can use that book in place of one of the
others in the section. Any book or article with a * beside it is required.
To complete this course
the student will also be required to take part in either training in a martial
art or a specific weapon to be chosen by the student. There is absolutely no
restriction on the martial art or weapon the student can choose however
if the student chooses to pursue weapons training, a proper instructor MUST be
found. The student can choose to pursue both practical courses in lieu of one
of the other courses with the exception of Celtic Warrior History, Celtic Warrior
Legends and Mind of a Warrior.
Required Reading:
Celtic Warrior History
1) Celtic Warriors - Tim
Newark
2) Wars of The Irish Kings -
David W. McCullough
3) Celtic Warriors - Dáithí Ó
hÓgáin
4) Celtic Martial Arts – C.
Lee Vermeers*
5) Gallic War – Julius Caesar*
Celtic Warrior Legends
1) Tales of the Elders of Ireland (Acallam na Senórach) translated
by Ann Dooley & Harry Roe
2) The Tain translated by Thomas Kinsella
3) Gods and Fighting Men – Lady Augusta Gregory
4) The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired) translated
by Elizabeth Gray
5) Finn Mac Cumhail and the Fiann na h-Erenn as told by Geoffrey Keating*
5) Finn Mac Cumhail and the Fiann na h-Erenn as told by Geoffrey Keating*
General History of War
1) A Military History of Ireland - Thomas Bartlett and Keith Jeffery
2) A History of Warfare - John Keegan
3) War and Society in the Ancient and Medieval
Worlds - Kurt A. Raaflaub
Female Warriors
1) Warrior Women - Jeannine Davis-Kimball
2) Warrior Queens - Antonia Frasier
3) Women Warriors - David E Jones
Mind of a Warrior
1) Code of the Warrior - Shannon French*
2) On The Warrior's Path - Daniele Bolelli
3) Warrior Mindset – Michael Asken, Dave Grossman, and Loren
Christensen
4) The Code of the Samurai – translated by Thomas Cleary
Body of a Warrior
1) On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology in Deadly Conflict in
War and in Peace – Dave Grossman
2) Sharpening The Warrior's Edge: The Psychology & Science of
Training - Bruce K Siddle*
3) Individual’s choice of physical conditioning book
Philosophy of War
1) The Art of War - Sun Tzu*
2) The Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto Musashi
3) Honor: A History – James Bowman
Practical Martial Arts
If one truly wishes to consider themselves on the Warrior path,
the pursuit of a Martial Art is highly recommended. It can range from Eastern
martial arts like Karate to Tae Kwon Do to Western such as Krav Maga or
Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. The student is free to choose whatever martial art they
feel a connection to and start from there. Because finances can be a factor, the
student can choose to attempt to self teach from a book or online, but it is
highly recommended that the student find a teacher or go to classes. A martial
art isn’t practical unless it can be applied and proper practice requires an
opponent to gain that muscle memory and consistent application.
You as the student can decide how you will document your work in
your chosen martial art and a final thesis paper will be required after at
least six months of dedicated study and practice. The student will also be
required to research the history of the martial art they choose to study and
write a short summary on it.
Practical Weapons
If one truly wishes to consider themselves on the Warrior path,
the pursuit of weapons training is highly recommended. The student is free to
choose whatever weapon they feel a connection to which can range from fire arms
to swords to stick fighting, etc. Weapons training can be very dangerous and as
such, absolutely requires being taught by experts. The sole liability falls on
the student if they injure, maim or kill themselves during any weapons training
or practice. Weapons are not toys and should be treated with the utmost respect
as they are meant to cause significant damage.
You as the student can decide how you will document your training
with your weapon of choice and a final thesis paper will be required after at
least six months of dedicated training and practice. The student will also be
required to research the history of the weapon they choose to train with and
write a short summary on it.
