The Historical Evidence for Druids
The primary sources of information about the Druids come from the writings of Roman historians and authors, such as Julius Caesar, Pliny the Elder, and Tacitus, who encountered the Celts during their conquests in the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE. These authors, however, were outsiders and often viewed the Druids through a lens shaped by Roman culture and biases. Despite this, they provide important insights into the Druidic order.
The most famous account is that of Julius Caesar in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic War), in which he describes the Druids as the religious leaders of the Gallic tribes. According to Caesar, Druids were highly regarded as priests, teachers, and judges who played a central role in Gallic society. They were said to be responsible for conducting religious ceremonies, overseeing sacrifices, and educating young members of the elite in matters of philosophy, law, and science.
In addition to Caesar's writings, Pliny the Elder mentions the Druids in his Natural History, noting their association with sacred oak groves and mistletoe. Tacitus, in his Agricola, briefly references Druidic practices but emphasizes the Roman conquest’s suppression of Druidism in Britain, particularly under Emperor Claudius in the mid-1st century CE.
However, it is important to recognize that the Roman authors did not always present an accurate or neutral portrayal of the Druids. The Celts were seen as barbarians, and their religious practices, especially those involving human sacrifice, were depicted in a negative light. Furthermore, the Druids themselves left no written records; their teachings and rituals were passed down orally, which has led to gaps in our understanding. shutdown123