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Historical Bits & Pieces
During the first century AD, the languages used in Britain were Brythonic by the native tribal peoples and Latin by the Roman invaders. In both Forbidden and Captive I’ve used words not in common usage in the English language until the 1500s and later, on the reasoning these peoples had words of similar meaning in their own languages at that time.
Amphora
Distinctive pottery storage vessel exported throughout the Roman empire, usually containing wine, oil or fish sauce.
Celts
It's likely the Romans who referred to the tribal peoples as "Celts". They would have referred to themselves by their tribal names. In Cymru during the first century AD the major tribes were the Silures, the Ordovices, the Deceangli and the Demetaes. For clarity in both Forbidden and Captive I've taken the liberty of calling the peoples of Cymru "Celts".
Cymru
Ancient name for Wales. Known to the Romans as Cambria.
Druids
There is little direct archaeological evidence for the traditions of the original Druids. Most of what we know about them come from contemporary Roman writers, and since they were the conquerors their accounts are likely biased. Druids are described as being the priests of Celtic society, responsible for law making and the keepers of knowledge and wisdom. They, unfortunately for us, didn't believe in writing their knowledge down. Instead they passed on their wisdom through oral teachings, a process that could take twenty years.
The Isle of Mon, known as the Isle of Mona by the Romans (present day Isle of Anglesey off the north-west coast of Wales) was the spiritual home of the Druids and a stronghold for the resistance against the conquering Roman legions.
The Eagle/Aquila
A legionary known as the Aquilifer was responsible for carrying the eagle standard of a Roman legion. It was a rallying point for the legionaries in the chaos of battle, a symbol of their power and signified the honour of Rome herself. Losing the aquila in battle was a great disgrace.
Gaul
The name for what is now France, Belgium and parts of the Netherlands and Germany. Called Gallia by the Romans.
Legion
A military unit recruited from Roman citizens.
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