The Scordisci – Celts in the Balkans

History & Finds The Scordisci: Celtic Power at the Danube Bend

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The Scordisci were a Celtic people at the confluence of the Sava and Danube, in the area of today's Belgrade (ancient Singidunum).

From the great Celtic migration

They emerged from the great Celtic Balkan migration of the 3rd century BC – the movement that also brought the Galatians to Asia Minor. At the Danube bend the Scordisci built a mighty position.

Terror and downfall

For over two centuries the Scordisci warred against their neighbours and against Rome, with changing fortune. In the end they wore themselves out between Dacians and Romans; their territory became Roman. They show how far the Celtic world reached to the south-east.

"The Scordisci were long held the mightiest and fiercest on the lower Danube."freely after ancient tradition (public domain, own translation)

What is documented: Scordisci as a Celtic people at the Sava-Danube confluence (Livy, Strabo, Cassius Dio), their origin in the Balkan migration and their long struggle against Rome until incorporation.

What is interpretation: Over the centuries the Scordisci mixed heavily with Thracian and Illyrian neighbours – "purely Celtic" they were not in the end. The numbers and atrocity reports of the sources are rhetorically heightened.

The Scordisci lead to the Celtic Balkans. Continue with the Galatians and Boii.

Glanz & Gravur — From our workshop: Celtic-Germanic motifs on natural slate, laser-engraved. To the shop →

Sources & literature

Livy; Strabo; Cassius Dio; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Scordisci: Celtic Power at the Danube Bend

From the great Celtic migration

Terror and downfall

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Sources & literature

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