The Scordisci: Celtic Power at the Danube Bend

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)

Celts at the Danube-Sava corner

The Scordisci were a Celtic confederation at the confluence of Sava and Danube, in the area of today's Belgrade. They arose in the 3rd century BC, when Celtic warriors settled in this region after the great Balkan expedition – an outpost of the Celtic world far in the south-east.

After the march against Delphi

Their origins are connected with the famous Celtic march against the Greek sanctuary of Delphi in 279 BC. After the failure of this venture parts of the warriors gathered on the Danube and formed the confederation of the Scordisci.

Lords of the Balkans

For over two centuries the Scordisci were a feared power in the Balkans. They undertook far-reaching raids and controlled the trade routes on the Danube. Their chief town Singidunum is the Celtic origin of today's Belgrade.

The clash with Rome

In the 1st century BC the Scordisci came into heavy fighting with the advancing Romans. After several defeats their power was broken, and the region finally merged into the Roman Danube provinces.

Why this moves us

The Scordisci show how far the Celtic world reached – to the gates of the Balkans and into the origin of Belgrade. At GLANZ & GRAVUR we tell such stories from the sources, because they reveal the surprising breadth of Celtic Europe.

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

Read more with us

The Galatians · The Boii · The Taurisci · The Celtiberians · The Celtic Warriors.

Sources & literature

• Image credit (header image): “Kalemegdan "Lower Town"”, {{{1}}}, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Livy; Strabo; Cassius Dio; quote public domain (own translation).

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