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Today, when you want to acquire something that you don't make yourself, you buy it with money. How did people acquire things in the pre-Roman Celtic world? Let's say you wanted to acquire something expensive, like a chariot. Would you gather up enough things to trade for it? Would someone simply give you a chariot and you'd be expected to give gifts in return? I'm aware that currency showed up at once point, but I'm particularly trying to learn about non-currency methods of buying things. |
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Barter, gifts and payments - same as now. I'll swap you a sheep for half of that pig I just slaughtered. Head of the tribe gives weapons, jewelry to people to both bind them in his debt and to show his wealth and power. I'll work on your fields for a day in return for food and lodging. ps. the Celts had coins before the romans, rather better quality coins and jewelry than the Romans for most of the period. |
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As far back as 8th century BC there was evidence of 'proto money' in the form of rings, bracelets and other wearable currency items. They were often roughly made and sometimes had marks on them so they could cut them into segments to buy smaller items. They tended to be made of gold, silver or bronze and there are plenty floating around in museums and even for sale and they were also used by the vikings. not a lot floating around online although this (non academic) page has some details on it. This would have been in addition to barter as mentioned by others. |
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The Celts were using "ring money" as early as 800bc, up until 300bc, when they picked up the idea of using coins from the Greeks. |
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