Who were the Picts?

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

All materials are used under fair use for education and commentary.

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

[JustAnotherHistoryChannel]

A note:
I originally trialled using a little AI art in this video, as I wanted to see what it was capable of. However, this was wrong as it is, of course, not historically accurate and therefore somewhat misleading. I have therefore blurred the few images used in this video to avoid confusion, and will not be using any AI art at all in future videos.

[jpsl]

Just want to say that since 2023 I've been trying to understand who were the Picts and what differentiate them from Britons (I research british history just for hobby), and none of the videos or websites I saw gave such a direct but detailed explanation of who they were like your video. Great channel, and thank you very much 👏👏

[LordHoth_]

Romans cross into Scotland one time:

“Ah fuck no, put a wall up! Big wall! Make it two!!”

[GordonCaledonia]

A Greggs was recently discovered in Dundee that dates to the time of the Picts.

[jared]

Thank you, finally a detailed and easy to understand narrative of the Picts.

[macgonzo]

Really incredibly well researched work! Best Pictish documentary on YouTube. By far.

[stefanhenning]

The quality IS SO GOOD. The aesthetic and editing are amazing.

[ellen]

This is the most in-depth information I've found so far about who the "Picts" might have been. I wondered too about the Scythian history because of their art being so similar, and that the Scythian people apparently tattooed themselves too. I think it would have been pronounced as SKY-THEE-AN though, because of the C having been pronounced that way, maybe not in all languages in the area but certainly some. Unless that name is also a modern name for ancient people.

[VanessaScrillions]

Wow what a wonderful video! Ive always wanted to know about the Picts. I love that the romans seemed scared of them. Haha

[bagthebird]

This was an excellent video, thank for your work you did a great job

[Kariakas]

Happy to have discovered this channel, YT should have had these in my suggestions long ago. Gladly subscribed.

[JustinHappenstance]

As an example, at 8:11 it would be nice to include a time period stamp which I wish you included on many maps. Your videos are great about history though. I used to hate history classes and as I've got older it's fasinating. TY

[ursakumaluna]

Was suggested this and it's so well produced I just had to subscribe so I can dive into your other documentaries

[McHobotheBobo]

Wow the level of detail and thorougnhness of etymological chronology is phenomenal! Great job on that part, especially!

[DavoidJohnson]

You squeezed a lot in here. Helped fill in and sort out some of the gaps and mystery of Scottish history for me.

[regiraver]

Massive congratulations to you for the success with these newer videos

[AryaOghuz]

This is just an incredible style you have for your videos. Keep going, so pleasing to the eye and enjoyable to watch

[Andy_Babb]

I love this channel. Great content… and stoked for a 40+ minute episode

[liammcfarland]

This is such an incredibly well produced video damn

[FallfromGrace-igpw]

we've been rifled through so many times it's hard to tell where a nord begins and a bret ends, also in the past 500 years the influx of english to the southern regions further muddies the water. if you're from scotland just be proud of who you are, we all likely got some chedder blood in us as well some english by now