Nilerix (Celtic Kingdom of the Nile)

Allegedly at one point during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, there was an attempt by a huge army of Celtic Mercenaries to band together and make a Celtic Kingdom along the Nile. They failed and were sent to an Island in the Delta to starve to death. What if they had fantastically succeeded and ruled the entire former Ptolemaic Kingdom, the art work would alone be interesting, rigid Egyptian art, combined with la Tene style.
 
I think that there were only about four or five thousand strong to begin with. If avoided actually rebelling, and instead migrated further down the Nile Valley and set up an independent enclave bordering between Egypt and the Nubian Kingdoms, they might survive as a sort of vassal of the Ptolemies. Although, unless any further Galatian or Balkan Celts serving the Ptolemies reach them, I don't think they would maintain their Celtic identity and culture for very long.
 
Okay lets say that over time most Celtic mercenary bands who work in the East eventually retire and move to this enclave. I rationalize this because if I were them when I decided to settle down I would rather live with the Egyptian Enclave then slog my way back to the North or live with a bunch of runty olive skinned strangers.
 
Okay lets say that over time most Celtic mercenary bands who work in the East eventually retire and move to this enclave. I rationalize this because if I were them when I decided to settle down I would rather live with the Egyptian Enclave then slog my way back to the North or live with a bunch of runty olive skinned strangers.

Yeah...., I don't think the Celts serving in Egypt would entertain that sort of attitude towards their hosts. If they were to settle south of Upper Egypt, they would think nothing of intermarrying with the indigenous Nubian population. They'd probably also act as a trading station for slave-trafficking into Egypt. There might or might not be a Celtic dynasty or regime that would later take Egypt by storm in the future, but their artistry, and weapon-making skills could make their way to the cultures residing further down the Nile. Celts could be cultural chameleons, much like the Normans. There would have to be some kind of understanding between the Celtic mercenary captains and their Ptolemaic superiors, and there would have to be a generous amount of Celtic emigres being employed as soldier-settlers. Perhaps even a plan by the Ptolemies to subjugate the Nubians.
 
Okay, I'm at work so I can't check my facts but as I recall the Celtic group you are thinking of was part of the larger invasion of Greece and Anatolia around 300BC (with a smaller group heading off to settle along the upper Black Sea). The Celts eventually founded Gallatia - a very successful kingdom. So, its not like the migration or, if you like, military incursion/raid into Egypt wouldn't have had help nearby if the right circumstances arose (i.e. the clans that had settled in Anatolia weren't going to risk their own accomplishments to go help a group of warriors on some fool's errand unless they were assured of significant gains for their aide.)

So, basically I'm saying I like the idea. Some research and a good divergent point and I think you got yourself an interesting TL.
 
I would agree with Lysandros - the Celts, for all of their warrior nature, were a very accepting people (minus the odd blood feud of course) - you really don't get to the squabbling divided people most equate to the Celts until round about the Roman invasion. I think there would be a heavy amount of assimilation on both sides as the Celts had knowledge of things like metallurgy and battle tactics that would probably serve the Egyptians well.
 
Okay, I'm at work so I can't check my facts but as I recall the Celtic group you are thinking of was part of the larger invasion of Greece and Anatolia around 300BC (with a smaller group heading off to settle along the upper Black Sea). The Celts eventually founded Gallatia - a very successful kingdom. So, its not like the migration or, if you like, military incursion/raid into Egypt wouldn't have had help nearby if the right circumstances arose (i.e. the clans that had settled in Anatolia weren't going to risk their own accomplishments to go help a group of warriors on some fool's errand unless they were assured of significant gains for their aide.)

So, basically I'm saying I like the idea. Some research and a good divergent point and I think you got yourself an interesting TL.

The Celts in question were a group of mercenary warbands in the employ of Ptolemy II that mutinied while stationed in Egypt. There were about less than ten thousand of their ilk in Egyptian service, so I reckon that they probably sought out the support of the other ethnic mercenary units for their rebellion and usurpation of Ptolemaic authority.

Despite the failure of this group and their exile to a small island in the middle of the Nile to suffer a slow death of starvation, Celts continued to be employed, and were often granted land in the Fayuum region.
 
The Celts in question were a group of mercenary warbands in the employ of Ptolemy II that mutinied while stationed in Egypt. There were about less than ten thousand of their ilk in Egyptian service, so I reckon that they probably sought out the support of the other ethnic mercenary units for their rebellion and usurpation of Ptolemaic authority.

Despite the failure of this group and their exile to a small island in the middle of the Nile to suffer a slow death of starvation, Celts continued to be employed, and were often granted land in the Fayuum region.


Yes, but my memory fails me...was this mercenary group part of the invasion of 260's - 300BC that broke away and went south or were they a separate hire that just happen to coincide with the major migration/invasion into Greece/Anatolia?
 
Yes, but my memory fails me...was this mercenary group part of the invasion of 260's - 300BC that broke away and went south or were they a separate hire that just happen to coincide with the major migration/invasion into Greece/Anatolia?

They were major hire shortly after the initial settlement of the Galatian tribes in Anatolia. Although its just as likely that some of them came directly from Gaul itself. Carthaginians and Sicilian Greeks did employ quite alot of Gallic mercs in their forces. Even Phyrrus of Epirus was said to have employed Celts, probably Boii and Scordisci. So I don't see why they shouldn't have appeared in Egypt as well. But by the middle of the Third Century BCE, the nearest Celtic populations were based in Galatia, not to mention the short-lived kingdom of Tylis or Tylae in Thrace, roughly a hundred miles north-west of Byzantium.
 
Besides the possibility of Egypt, here is a list of potential Celtic states whom might have achieved prominence, barring the rise of Rome.

A)The Lusitani or the Celtiberi of Spain.
B)The Aedui, the Arverni, or the Allobroges of Gaul itself.
C)The Scordisci, based in Serbia.
D)The branch of the Boii tribe that migrated to northern Italy.
E)The alliance of the Tolistobogii, Trogmi, and Tectosages (Galatians), in central Anatolia.
 
There was another image of celtic warriors made by the guy who made this one. Only thing was they were sitting in a Egyptian grass boat and were seeing the various sights on the Nile if you give me the name I could find it.

Celtic_Clan_Chiefs_Ancient_33.jpg
 
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