In the context of Ludovisi Gaul, analyze the History of the Celts of the Subject.
The expansion of the Celtic people (also known as the Galatians or the Gauls, as Romans called them, coming from their homelands in Central Europe in the south and east) was put on hold during the third century B.C. Their expansion in Balkans was brought to a halt in the winter of 279 B.C. by allies of the Greeks. The Greeks viewed the invaders as Barbarians who sought to attack Hellenic Liberty. The Gallic chief Brannos and his army had high hopes of taking the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi after having successfully overwhelmed the Greeks in a battle in Thermopylae. Here in Delphi, the Gauls were driven away by what was believed to be supernatural and mythical events that took place. A great thunderstorm took place which was believed to be created by Apollo himself with the help of Artemis and Athena. After this event, the Greeks decorated Delphi with Gallic shields they obtained from the battle, built monuments, and statues of the gods to commemorate their victory. The Greeks believed that the Gaul's unprecedented brutality should not be forgotten and that that women and children of Kallion near Delphi which they murdered should be remembered and honored.
When discovered, the two statues (Ludovisi Gaul and Dying Gaul) were believed to depict gladiators. It wasn't until the nineteenth century that these statues were connected to the works of Pliny the Elder which celebrated the victories of Pergamon over the Gauls of Asia Minor and were reinterpreted as Celtic warriors.
nineteenth century gladiator Gallic Artemis Galatian Thermopylae Celtic Celts Pergamon Barbarian The Gallic chief Brannos Ludovisi Athena Gaul Celtic people Celt Dying Gaul Pliny the Elder Apollo Balkans Galatians Gauls Apollo at Delphi Delphi