ABSTRACT
The capacity of the Celts to inspire terror, their quality of to kataplektikon, was not a marked characteristic of their identity for the Greeks until their invasion of Greece at the beginning of third century BC (see Chapter 5). Relevant passages from the Periplus attributed to Scylax, which may be as old as the mid-fourth century BC, are free of this feeling, as are other fourth century BC references to Celts. They were certainly regarded as usable mercenaries and are mentioned in this capacity by Xenophon in his Hellenica (7.1.20) in his discussion of the events of 367 BC, when Athenians, Spartans, and others were opposing the rising power of Thebes. They are mentioned in company with Iberians, and it may be that they also are from the Iberian peninsula. They are more likely to be splinters of the hordes who invaded Italy and sacked Rome in 390 BC.
