With no written records of their own, our knowledge of the Celts comes from their encounters with other cultures. The first major event is about 400 BC when the Celts descended from the Alps and drove the Etruscans from the Po River Valley. Thus, the rise of their culture chronologically parallels that of the Roman Empire. Of larger stature than the Romans, Celtic warriors were fierce and fearless fighters who were never defeated by the Romans, but, by 386 BC they had captured Rome contributing to the fall of the Roman Empire. Like the Romans, they used chariots in war and subscribed to a pagan religion. Forged iron, 9 1/8" overall with broad tang for scale grips and characteristic opened ring terminal. Slightly curved single edged blade with original old white inked find identification RINGKOGEL. Ringkogel is a hill in eastern Styria (Austria) named for the Celtic ring wall which was built around it to provide a strategically located fortification. Sound excavated condition.