The term ‘Dark Ages’, while really intended to refer to the supposed cultural, economic and social decline of Europe in the centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, is quite apt in another sense - the period can be described as ‘Dark’ because, for certain geographical areas, it is rather difficult to work out what exactly was going on.

It was into this slightly mysterious period, in the north of Scotland, that the Picts emerge into the historical record. First named in late Roman sources, this hard to define people slowly grew in power to dominate the farthest northern and eastern reaches of Great Britain, even extending their political influence over the whole of the territory that we now refer to as Scotland. Their power was doubtless considerable, their kings mighty - yet the picts leave precious little behind. By examining what few sources we have, the latest archaeological discoveries, and the material culture the Picts left behind, we can attempt to answer the question: Who were the Picts?

With thanks to my Patreon patrons, Bryce Carlyle and Shauna K!

Music:
Shadows and Dust - Scott Buckley
The Long Dark - Scott Buckley
Balefire - Scott Buckley
The Distant Sun - Scott Buckley
Filaments - Scott Buckley

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0:00 - Intro
2:07 - Definitions - the term 'Pict'
4:24 - Origins
10:08 - Geography
14:20 - The Verturian Hegemony
20:37 - Society and Culture
23:52 - Art
29:25 - Religion
32:41 - Language
38:39 - The End of the Picts