Myths of the Celtic Peoples: Gods, Heroes, Forces of Nature, Symbols, Motifs, Rituals, Druids

Explore the mysterious world of ancient legends, where deities, heroes, and forces of nature intertwine in complex sacred stories. Hope Shirokova’s book, based on the works of ancient writers and the Celtic oral tradition, reveals a unique worldview of one of Europe’s most enigmatic peoples—its ideas about the creation of the world and the role of druids. This thorough yet gripping study lifts the veil over Ireland’s mythological past and the symbols whose interpretation remains a task for modern scholars.

In Celtic myths, various sacred motifs, symbols, and images weave together, creating unusual characters, and their interpretation continues to attract researchers’ interest. The book introduces readers to the mythological tradition of one of the most mysterious peoples of ancient Europe. It draws on oral tales preserved by Celtic poets, recorded by Christian monks, and also on evidence from Greco-Roman authors to present the Celts’ views on how the world is structured and where it comes from, as well as teachings about mysterious and influential Celtic priests—druids. The reader is also immersed in the mythological history of the settlement of Ireland and encounters the gods and heroes of Celtic mythology.

Nadezhda Sergeyevna Shirokova is a Soviet and Russian historian specializing in antiquity and Celtic studies. Doctor of Historical Sciences and professor at Saint Petersburg State University, she focuses on the history and culture of the ancient Celts closely connected with the ancient world, as well as on the history of ancient art and culture of Roman Britain. AST Publishing House, 2025.