Druids: did they really exist

The earliest extant literary evidence of the Druids comes from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Greco-Roman authors often portrayed the Celtic peoples as uncivilized savages due to a lack of technological development. The oldest mention of them is found in Julius Caesar in 50 BC. in Notes on the Gallic War. He says that the Druids sacrificed animals and people, burning them in a wicker cage in the shape of a man. But these statements were not based on anything, but, most likely, were military propaganda and gave a negative image to the enemy.

Caesar also describes how the Druids were associated with divine worship and played an important role in Gallic society, acting as both warriors and judges. Often were teachers of young people. In addition, the druids observed the movement of stars and other celestial bodies, using Stonehenge as an astronomical laboratory.

Another Roman writer, Tacitus, described how the Druids fought the Roman army on Mona Island in Wales. They fiercely rebuffed the enemy. In response, the Romans cut down all the groves that were revered as shrines. There is little archaeological evidence of the existence of these "wizards."

The historian Ronald Hatton argues that there is not a single archaeological find that could be unambiguously associated with the Druids. Even the presence of astrological symbols on the swords of the Iron Age does not mean that they belonged to sorcerers. But indirectly, such findings confirm that the Druids were not only astrologers, but also wars.

In 2008, another Druid grave was discovered in Colchester, Essex. This time, the remains were cremated, possibly in order to free the spirit of the sorcerer, and placed in a stone burial. At the same time, many interesting objects were discovered: beads, fortunetelling cards, surgical instruments (scalpels, forceps, saw), outerwear, jewelry, favorite board game.

Surgical kits suggest that, after all, the druids were not uneducated ignoramuses, but possessed medical knowledge and treated people.
Druids played an important role in society, predicted the future, watched the stars, cured ailments, made calendars.

Watch the video: The Druids: What Do We Really Know? (April 2024).