Milesians
The declining civilization of Egypt and increasing unrest in the eastern Mediterranean stirred the cauldron of destiny once more. According to the historical myth, a Scythian Celt by the name of Niul, known for his wisdom, was invited by the reigning Pharaoh of Egypt to teach in the great Egyptian mystery schools that educated both Priesthood and Royalty.
Niul soon proved himself and became so favoured by the Pharaoh that he was given the rulers daughter in marriage. With royal connections and ambition, Niul's holdings and household rapidly expanded. However as his progeny matured, conditions in Egypt became considerably unsettled. Egypt was losing her political and military clout.
The old Pharaoh died and his successor became jealous of Niul and the political threat that he seemed to possess. In the conflict that resulted, Niul and his retinue fled the land. First they sailed to Crete. After a sojourn of some years, they sailed on to Spain, where the Patriarch died and a son Miled (also married to an Egyptian Princess called Scota) assumed leadership. During the long stay in Spain, Miled too followed his father in death, and leadership of the growing clan once more was passed.
No doubt, the international trade between Ireland and the rest of the world brought her to the attention of groups looking for a permanent home. Obviously Ireland had considerable natural resources. It was a relatively peaceful land, not heavily populated and had no strong central government capable of withstanding a strong, well-trained and equipped force. In fact, scouting reports likely included the information that not only did this land have no standing armies due to its lack of central government, as an island, its primary protection was the sea itself.
Having thus heard of Ireland, Milesian leadership dispatched a scout to assess the lay of the island. The Tuatha leadership recognized the stranger for what he was. Realizing the possible danger, the Tuatha put the scout (named by some as Ith, an uncle to Miled) to death. Despite the loss of their scout, or perhaps partially in vengeance, the Milesians set sail for the Island of paradise.
In the force that sailed, were 8 sons and Scota, the widow of Miled. During the voyage, a great storm swept down on the convoy. A number of ships were lost, the remainder scattered into two groups and 5 of Miled's sons were drowned. Still, the survivors pressed resolutely on. At last each group put ashore.
One group, led by the dowager Queen Scota herself, swept ashore in Bantry Bay. The other group made landfall at the mouth of the Boyne river on the eastern coast. Both parties met serious resistance, but the forces of the Tuatha were divided. In the south Queen Eire led the Tuatha forces against Queen Scota. In the resulting bitter struggle both Queens were lost.
Despite serious losses, the southern force worked it's way inland to the north-east and eventual link-up with the Boyne river landing party who had also suffered great loss. However, once again, a better organized force overcame the defenders unused to large-scale invasions and Sovereignty of Ireland passed to the Milesians in the Year of the World 2746, or 1268 BC. The mythological invasions of Ireland was over.
The arrival of the Milesians coincides exactly with the Late
Bronze Age (13th - 9th centuries BC). The period was expressed by the further advances brought to the industry by overseas contact, and the influences of both the Tuatha de Danann and the Milesians. Both overseas and home demands continued to increase. A wider range of tools came into use and made their demands for new designs and saw the introduction of clay moulds for casting.
Torques of twisted bar gold, other jewelry, tools and weapons were made in styles that show undeniable contact with Scandinavia, Myacenae, Cyprus and Egypt. A major change was significantly increased manufacture of items of personal adornment after 1300 BC and the arrival of the Milesians . This suggests that although the Tuatha de Danann were known as the Golden Race, the Milesians could be known as the Race that Wore Gold. It seems the Milesians liked to wear their wealth. But another cloud seemed to be on the horizon.
The Neolithic era had been a relatively peaceful one. No weapons of conflict are found among the artifacts from that era. However as Ireland prospered and new people began to fill the countryside, conflicts were bound to occur in increasing number and intensity. The Halberd appears in Ireland shortly after arrival of the Firbolg. Near the time of the arrival of the Tuatha de Danann (c. 18th century BC) the rapier, and dirk appear along with the metal tipped spear of the Danann.
In the late Bronze age, coinciding with the arrival of the Milesians, the leaf-shaped slashing sword (short) appears along with finely worked scabbards, spears, ornate shields of bronze, leather and wood, as well as gorgets, bracelets and bullae, many of which were used as grave goods. This suggests the development of a Warrior Aristocracy.
In addition to increased production of weapons of war, the advancing industry began making spectacular bronze cauldrons and buckets modeled after Mediterranean design. After 800 BC, metal wares show increased influence from central and Mediterranean Europe and increased import of jet and amber.
Once more, the quality and artisanship of Gold and Bronze products especially is noted. The sudden expansion can be attributed to the Milesian settlers who were not only artisans and craftsmen, but traders as well and political conditions in the Mediterranean region were changing. By this time, Egypt's influence was waning and the Phoenicians quickly took advantage.
The great Phoenician ports of Tyre, Sidon and Aradus came into prolonged contact with the known world. To enhance trade, Phoenician trading colonies spread throughout the Mediterranean area including Greece, Italy, Spain, North Africa and beyond - even to the southern coast of Ireland.
The widespread disturbances plunged the eastern Mediterranean into turmoil. Ireland and Scandinavia, isolated somewhat from that region, renewed old trading ties. Ireland took inspiration from northern German and Scandinavian socketed axeheads and sickles. They borrowed the styles of bronze arm and neck ornaments from others and added reflexed ends and then produced them in gold.
The peak of Irish metallurgy occurred around 800 BC. By this time, Irish craftsman and artisans had adapted many techniques and styles from around the European and Mediterranean areas. Even though they 'adapted,' the Irish were unique in application and technology and produced beautifully ornate and technically superior products. Many archaeologists consider this the "Dowris Phase" of the Late Bronze Age as the Golden Period of Ireland. Yet despite the quality and diversity of their product, the end of the "Golden Period" and the Bronze Age in Ireland was not long in coming.
Significant weather changes began to occur around 1000BC. A much wetter period began and pollen studies show that by 800 BC grass was in extremely short supply, with a resultant cruel impact on grazing livestock. Archeological evidence indicates a considerable shift of population from the western/northern half of Ireland to the lower poorer soiled eastern/southern half of the island. No more grand burial places now, just the simple single graves of a poorer people. Not only did the population seem to shift in the next few hundred years, for undetermined reasons (as of yet), it also markedly decreased.
Quality data on the reasons for the decrease in population and it's magnitude is not yet available. We do know that the population declined considerably and to a certain extent shifted into the western half of the island as the weather deteriorated. We also know that increased turbulence in the Mediterranean continued to hamper trade. If all of that wasn't bad enough, the iron-age arrived in Europe.
By the 8th century BC, there was no longer a great demand for bronze products and the use of iron now dominated weaponry. Further, the Irish gold fields were now exhausted and not having natural resources in great demand from abroad, Irish trade dramatically declined. Thus the Golden Age of Ireland that had burned so brightly for so long, began to dim to eventually be extinguished under the onslaught of new invaders and a new religion.
Note:
1Fell argues for Celt-Iberians and identifies the shorthand name of the Goddess Byanu. Curiously, the Celt-Iberians had no such Goddess. The shorthand inscription on Mystery Hill identifies Boann, peculiar to the Irish Celts. Thus the site was ocupied at least in part by the Irish people.
Prepared By Christopher O'Brien
Niul soon proved himself and became so favoured by the Pharaoh that he was given the rulers daughter in marriage. With royal connections and ambition, Niul's holdings and household rapidly expanded. However as his progeny matured, conditions in Egypt became considerably unsettled. Egypt was losing her political and military clout.
The old Pharaoh died and his successor became jealous of Niul and the political threat that he seemed to possess. In the conflict that resulted, Niul and his retinue fled the land. First they sailed to Crete. After a sojourn of some years, they sailed on to Spain, where the Patriarch died and a son Miled (also married to an Egyptian Princess called Scota) assumed leadership. During the long stay in Spain, Miled too followed his father in death, and leadership of the growing clan once more was passed.
No doubt, the international trade between Ireland and the rest of the world brought her to the attention of groups looking for a permanent home. Obviously Ireland had considerable natural resources. It was a relatively peaceful land, not heavily populated and had no strong central government capable of withstanding a strong, well-trained and equipped force. In fact, scouting reports likely included the information that not only did this land have no standing armies due to its lack of central government, as an island, its primary protection was the sea itself.
Having thus heard of Ireland, Milesian leadership dispatched a scout to assess the lay of the island. The Tuatha leadership recognized the stranger for what he was. Realizing the possible danger, the Tuatha put the scout (named by some as Ith, an uncle to Miled) to death. Despite the loss of their scout, or perhaps partially in vengeance, the Milesians set sail for the Island of paradise.
In the force that sailed, were 8 sons and Scota, the widow of Miled. During the voyage, a great storm swept down on the convoy. A number of ships were lost, the remainder scattered into two groups and 5 of Miled's sons were drowned. Still, the survivors pressed resolutely on. At last each group put ashore.
One group, led by the dowager Queen Scota herself, swept ashore in Bantry Bay. The other group made landfall at the mouth of the Boyne river on the eastern coast. Both parties met serious resistance, but the forces of the Tuatha were divided. In the south Queen Eire led the Tuatha forces against Queen Scota. In the resulting bitter struggle both Queens were lost.
Despite serious losses, the southern force worked it's way inland to the north-east and eventual link-up with the Boyne river landing party who had also suffered great loss. However, once again, a better organized force overcame the defenders unused to large-scale invasions and Sovereignty of Ireland passed to the Milesians in the Year of the World 2746, or 1268 BC. The mythological invasions of Ireland was over.
The arrival of the Milesians coincides exactly with the Late
Bronze Age (13th - 9th centuries BC). The period was expressed by the further advances brought to the industry by overseas contact, and the influences of both the Tuatha de Danann and the Milesians. Both overseas and home demands continued to increase. A wider range of tools came into use and made their demands for new designs and saw the introduction of clay moulds for casting.
Torques of twisted bar gold, other jewelry, tools and weapons were made in styles that show undeniable contact with Scandinavia, Myacenae, Cyprus and Egypt. A major change was significantly increased manufacture of items of personal adornment after 1300 BC and the arrival of the Milesians . This suggests that although the Tuatha de Danann were known as the Golden Race, the Milesians could be known as the Race that Wore Gold. It seems the Milesians liked to wear their wealth. But another cloud seemed to be on the horizon.
The Neolithic era had been a relatively peaceful one. No weapons of conflict are found among the artifacts from that era. However as Ireland prospered and new people began to fill the countryside, conflicts were bound to occur in increasing number and intensity. The Halberd appears in Ireland shortly after arrival of the Firbolg. Near the time of the arrival of the Tuatha de Danann (c. 18th century BC) the rapier, and dirk appear along with the metal tipped spear of the Danann.
In the late Bronze age, coinciding with the arrival of the Milesians, the leaf-shaped slashing sword (short) appears along with finely worked scabbards, spears, ornate shields of bronze, leather and wood, as well as gorgets, bracelets and bullae, many of which were used as grave goods. This suggests the development of a Warrior Aristocracy.
In addition to increased production of weapons of war, the advancing industry began making spectacular bronze cauldrons and buckets modeled after Mediterranean design. After 800 BC, metal wares show increased influence from central and Mediterranean Europe and increased import of jet and amber.
Once more, the quality and artisanship of Gold and Bronze products especially is noted. The sudden expansion can be attributed to the Milesian settlers who were not only artisans and craftsmen, but traders as well and political conditions in the Mediterranean region were changing. By this time, Egypt's influence was waning and the Phoenicians quickly took advantage.
The great Phoenician ports of Tyre, Sidon and Aradus came into prolonged contact with the known world. To enhance trade, Phoenician trading colonies spread throughout the Mediterranean area including Greece, Italy, Spain, North Africa and beyond - even to the southern coast of Ireland.
The widespread disturbances plunged the eastern Mediterranean into turmoil. Ireland and Scandinavia, isolated somewhat from that region, renewed old trading ties. Ireland took inspiration from northern German and Scandinavian socketed axeheads and sickles. They borrowed the styles of bronze arm and neck ornaments from others and added reflexed ends and then produced them in gold.
The peak of Irish metallurgy occurred around 800 BC. By this time, Irish craftsman and artisans had adapted many techniques and styles from around the European and Mediterranean areas. Even though they 'adapted,' the Irish were unique in application and technology and produced beautifully ornate and technically superior products. Many archaeologists consider this the "Dowris Phase" of the Late Bronze Age as the Golden Period of Ireland. Yet despite the quality and diversity of their product, the end of the "Golden Period" and the Bronze Age in Ireland was not long in coming.
Significant weather changes began to occur around 1000BC. A much wetter period began and pollen studies show that by 800 BC grass was in extremely short supply, with a resultant cruel impact on grazing livestock. Archeological evidence indicates a considerable shift of population from the western/northern half of Ireland to the lower poorer soiled eastern/southern half of the island. No more grand burial places now, just the simple single graves of a poorer people. Not only did the population seem to shift in the next few hundred years, for undetermined reasons (as of yet), it also markedly decreased.
Quality data on the reasons for the decrease in population and it's magnitude is not yet available. We do know that the population declined considerably and to a certain extent shifted into the western half of the island as the weather deteriorated. We also know that increased turbulence in the Mediterranean continued to hamper trade. If all of that wasn't bad enough, the iron-age arrived in Europe.
By the 8th century BC, there was no longer a great demand for bronze products and the use of iron now dominated weaponry. Further, the Irish gold fields were now exhausted and not having natural resources in great demand from abroad, Irish trade dramatically declined. Thus the Golden Age of Ireland that had burned so brightly for so long, began to dim to eventually be extinguished under the onslaught of new invaders and a new religion.
Note:
1Fell argues for Celt-Iberians and identifies the shorthand name of the Goddess Byanu. Curiously, the Celt-Iberians had no such Goddess. The shorthand inscription on Mystery Hill identifies Boann, peculiar to the Irish Celts. Thus the site was ocupied at least in part by the Irish people.
Prepared By Christopher O'Brien
