Wow! Nice parallel, Fenian! I find it even more interesting that the Fianna should have such an elaborate code of right behaviour, when Arthurian legend is heavily steeped in the Christian tradition, which almost necessitates having virtues like Justice, Honesty, Humility, and Faith.

However, the Ossianic Cycle, being preChristian, was not. Of course, the monks who recorded the tale could have painted it a little after their own shades, but I doubt that. Too much of the authentic Irish flavor is in there for this to be a revisionist piece. Frequently when reading Irish legends I am tempted to cry out, "that's not fair!" because the characters are constantly tricking each other and trying to get away with whatever they can- not exactly a Christian virtue.

And yet there are the Fianna, swearing to be compassionate, exercise self-control, have wise business practices, and to think before speaking. The code guards against backbiting, making poor decisions, and having friends who are a bad influence. Read out loud, it sounds more like the creed of the noble warrior-poet than the oath of a band of pagans.

It's when you can draw out this sort of information that you can see why Christianity took such a strong hold on Ireland. The people's sense of honor and ethics were already in place; they just had to stop swindling each other to get the priests off their backs.