The Picts were a confederation of tribes in central and northern Scotland from the 3rd century to the 10th century. They were the descendants of the Caledonii and other tribes named by Roman historians or found on the map of Ptolemy. The early history of Pictland is unclear. In later periods multiple kings existed, ruling over separate kingdoms, with one king, sometimes two, more or less dominating their lesser neighbours. In 600 AD Isadore of Seville makes reference that the Picts took their name from the fact that their bodies had designs pricked into their skin by needles - 'pictus' means 'painted or tattooed people' in Latin. 

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