Druid

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Alexandre_Cabanel_-_Druidesse

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Druid

A Druid was a member of the high-ranking professional class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals, and political advisors. While perhaps best known as religious leaders, they also took on the roles of philosophers, teachers, and judges.

Etymology

The word "Druid" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European roots *dru- ("oak") and *wid- ("to see"), which together can be interpreted as "oak-knower" or "oak-seer."

Historical Background

Druids are primarily associated with the Iron Age in Gaul, Ireland, and other parts of the Celtic world. They are mentioned in various classical sources, including the works of Julius Caesar, who provides one of the most detailed accounts of the Druids in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico.

Roles and Functions

Druids held a variety of roles within Celtic society:

• Religious Leaders: They conducted rituals and ceremonies, often in sacred groves.
• Legal Authorities: Druids were responsible for the legal system, including the arbitration of disputes.
• Lorekeepers: They preserved and transmitted the oral traditions and histories of their people.
• Medical Professionals: Druids were knowledgeable in the use of medicinal plants and healing practices.
• Political Advisors: They often served as advisors to kings and chieftains.

Training and Education

The training to become a Druid was rigorous and could take up to 20 years. This education involved the memorization of a vast amount of oral literature, including laws, histories, and religious texts. Druids were also trained in various forms of divination and prophecy.

Decline and Legacy

The decline of the Druids began with the Roman conquest of Gaul and the subsequent spread of Christianity. By the early medieval period, the Druidic tradition had largely disappeared, although some aspects of their practices and beliefs were absorbed into Christian rituals and folklore.

Modern Revival

In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a revival of interest in Druidism, particularly in Britain and Ireland. This modern Druidic movement, often referred to as Neo-Druidism, draws inspiration from ancient practices but is largely a modern creation.

Related Pages

• Celtic mythology
• Iron Age
• Gaul
• Julius Caesar
• Christianity
• Neo-Druidism