This book deals with the history of the long sword, the principal weapon used by Celts during their raids down south to the world of classical antiquity. The Celts adopted this weapon from European Bronze Age culture and completed its development after it had been superseded by short, stabbing weapons in the warfare of advanced civilizations. Nonetheless, the role played by the Celtic long sword remained considerable. In this study of the subject, Dr Pleiner assesses the importance of the sword, and provides the first systematic treatment of the relevant historical and technological problems associated with its manufacture. Through the wide application of metallogeographic investigations, he shows that the technological level of the Celtic swordsmiths was in the majority of cases far higher than that suggested by ancient authors. The swords reveal trials with progressive manufacturing processes and hard materials, such as carbon steels. Dr Pleiner also discusses the Celtic mode of fighting, the appearance of long swords in sources in Celtic archaeological sites, as well as the social and symbolical meaning among Celts and its practical use in combat.