The Picts

The name Pict (‘Picture People’) was coined during the later Roman Empire to describe the Britons living north of Hadrian’s Wall. The Romans knew little about these northern people, which began their fame as the mystery folk beyond the Wall. But who were these shadowy, enigmatic figures depicted by classical authorities as ‘savages’? The Picts unlocks many of the mysteries long associated with their history by placing them within a European context. Contrary to popular tradition, the Picts were culturally sophisticated while politically and militarily divided into individual kingdoms such as Atholl and Fife. The variety of their daily life and religious orientation is narrated in literature and illustrated on monumental works of sculpture known as the ‘symbol stones’. Archaeological excavations reveal the material remains of Pictish society as the environmental diversity of the land is reflected in place names, artefacts, and habitation sites. Infused with scholarly rigor, The Picts offers dramatic new insights into these mysterious inhabitants of ancient Britain, their complex culture, and enduring appeal.

Benjamin Hudson’s books include Irish Sea Studies (2006), and Viking Pirates and Christian Princes (2005).