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Where were Celtic languages spoken in Europe before and during Roman rule?
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Celtic languages
Britannica editor Jeff Wallenfeldt provides an overview of the Irish language.
Before and during the period of Roman rule, Celtic languages were spoken across a vast expanse of Europe.12
Geographic Distribution
- Western and Central Europe: Celtic speakers were widespread throughout much of Western and Central Europe, including the region of Gaul (modern-day France and surrounding areas) and the British Isles.432
- Southern Europe: Celtic tribes migrated into northern Italy, establishing a presence in the territory known as Cisalpine Gaul.4
- Eastern Europe and Beyond: Their reach extended into the Balkans and as far east as Transylvania and the Black Sea coasts. One group, the Galatians, settled in Anatolia (Asia Minor).41
- Iberia: Celtic peoples, such as the Celtiberians, were also present in northern Spain.4
As the Roman Empire expanded, it conquered many of these regions, bringing Celtic speakers under its political control and eventually leading to the widespread adoption of Latin in the western provinces.35