Tacitus:'Silures' (Welsh)

[SwordandCompass]

Tacitus
Who were the original inhabitants of Britain, whether they were indigenous or foreign, is as usual among barbarians, little known. Their physical characteristics are various, and from these conclusions may be drawn. The red hair and large limbs of the inhabitants of Caledonia point clearly to a German origin. The dark complexion of the Silures, their usually curly hair, and the fact that Spain is the opposite shore to them, are an evidence that Iberians of a former date crossed over and occupied these parts. Those who are nearest to the Gauls are also like them, either from the permanent influence of original descent, or, because in countries which run out so far to meet each other, climate has produced similar physical qualities. But a general survey inclines me to believe that the Gauls established themselves in an island so near to them.
www.forumromanum.org/literature/tacitus/agricola_e.html


;D

[SwordandCompass]

Another updated description from above post. "I have added notes and comments in brackets to a fairly free translation.© Frank James" www.thecelticplanet.com/tacitus.htm

As it to be expected when dealing with Barbarians ( all non-Latin-speakers were barbarians - their speech sounded like `bar-bar-bar` instead of `proper`, ie Latin....), there is no way of saying with certainty what people originally inhabited Britain, and whether they were indigenous or immigrants. However, their physical types vary considerably, and from them one can draw certain conclusions. In Scotland the reddish hair and big build of the natives indicate Germanic origin. ( In fact very much a mixed population: immigrant Celts and the older indigenous stock.) The Silures however have swarthy features and generally curly hair. (The Silures lived round the borders of England and Wales - Monmouthshire and Glamorgan; they were still fiercely independent at that time.) This and the fact that Spain lies across from them ( the same slight long-standing geographical confusion recurs here again!) would lead one to think that the Iberians formerly must have crossed and taken up residence here; (there is at least some evidence of trade between the two countries). There is also a similarity between the Gauls and their nearest tribe; this could be either because of the lingering effects of their common origin, or because, with the territories lying opposite one another, the common climate has given them the same physical appearance. Presumably the Gauls simply infiltrated the island nearest to them; the same religious practices and beliefs are found there, (see Julius Caesar`s account for what these actually were - Druidism was certainly widespread in both countries; archaeology confirms this), and their language is much the same - as is their boldness in asking for trouble and their timidity in avoiding it when it arrives! (The language would have been at least similar enough, in view of Gaulish immigration, to allow communication between the two. There were British-speakers also in Northern Britain, though in Scotland people probably spoke a form of Celtic.)


two links more
www.roman-britain.org/tribes/silures.htm
www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/z_35_04.html