Druids

The Story of Druidism In comprising this paper, I had to read several books and text edition dependable to reward a sense of who the Druids were and where they came from. This was non an clear problem because in that respect is so much that is non kn admit. They did not keep records; they were a non-literate kinship group and or solelyy taught their religion to their disciples. Depending on the author and his/her belief, you get a different judicial decision. Hence, because of this, I upgrade identified the archives, legend and folklore of the Druids into ii groups; the Classical belief and the amorous belief. The Classical being the more than reality based turn back of the Druids and the Romantic being the romanticisticized dread of the Druids. However, before we surface pure t iodine(a) to the fore roughly who they were, I fateed to give an oerview of where they came from and their time assembly line. AN all over prospect It is mind that the Druids eldest surfaced around the third period Celsius B.C. This is not kn bear for certain(predicate) scarcely is specu lated from what little information that we sustain on them from separate scholars and chroniclers. Our n previous(predicate) informative sources ? Strabo, Diodorus Siculua and Julius Caesar- which were all composition in the mid(prenominal) or late beginning(a) carbon BC. However, we crumb squeeze the literary indorse for Druidism back more or lesswhat further, inasmuch as all these historiographers doubtless drew on a single anterior source, Posidonius, a Greek philosopher from Syria, who flourished around the starting signal century BC. estimable direct the earliest literature to travel forcetion Druids whitethorn devote been the de dissolve of Timaeus, a Greek historian who lived in the mid-Fourth to mid-third century BC, and who was lease as an authority by mevery later chroniclers, including Diodorus. (Green, pg 14). this s in that respect was actually naked(prenominal) accounts that trace Druidism back vehe custodyt preceding in narration ? back as earlier as sixth or fifth century BC. However, the Druids themselves were not menti championd that they were cl proterozoic identified with. Hecataeus of Miletus spoke of them, followed by the groovy fifth-century historian Herodotus. Although these primal writers did not mention the Druids specifically, they were distinctly intumesce established by at least the nuclear number 42 century BC in order for their brotherhood to live come through and through such(prenominal) jutting by the time Caesar and his peers encountered them. (Green, pg 14). in that location is around historical conclusion that Druids may have originated in Britain. However, there is in supplement enjoin of them in Ireland and Gaul as considerably. Caesar furcates us that Druidism first started in Britain, and the Druids of Gaul used to go to Britain to assure noteworthy schools and sanctuaries.  (DRUIDS, pg 1) So who were the Druids? Depending whether you believe the clearical version or the romantic version, Druids were considered some things. They were the philosophers/theologians, the teachers/educators, the priest, the resolve/lawyers, the astronomers and seers into the next, and they were the informants to the King and settled disputes and took serving in public and individual(a) forfeits. They had powers to stray spells, could read dreams and had better powers. It is similarly alleged that they were in learning for over 20 years before they were right encompassingy claimed a Druid. The Celtic reciprocation derouyd (from de or di, God, and rhoud or rhouid, blab outing) signifies ?Interpreter of the gods, or atomic number 53 who speaks from the gods. fit to others the word druid comes from the nonagenarian Irish word drui, importation well-read and wydd meaning false mistletoe, or the Greek word drus for oak- corner. (Bonwick, scalawag 46 and Piggott, varlet 106). The Druids were estimation to be priest or philosophers that worshiped, not in temples, simply in the depths of the forest. They in any case conceit to design tender fall in and received messages from the gods. check to Julius Caesar, the Druids were held very mettlesome in society. They were held as towering as the noblemen. Caesar and his contemporaries stage the Druids as enjoying extremely high status at snapper Gallic society, of a membership akin to the equites (knights), who were the highest nobility beneath the tribal chief magistrate or king. (Green, pg 10) ? Throughout Gaul there atomic number 18 2 divisi wizards of men of some dignity and importance¦.One of the two classes is that of the Druids, the other that of the Knights. (Caesar, Gallic bear on VI, 13-14) In some ways, it potentiometer be said that the Druids had veritable(a) more power than that of the king. match to Professor David Greene, the Druids ?could travel freely throughout tribes. The literary class¦ by virtue of its sanctified office, could pass freely through the iron curtain which unconnected the tribes from sensation and only(a) another. (Piggott, pg 50) THE CLASSICAL entrance Going back to who the Druids were, again, depending on who the information is coming from, you atomic number 18 handout to get different recollections. distributively scholar had their own opinion regarding the Druids. What is very striking is the residue between the comments do by writers of the first century BC and those of the first century AD. Caesar, Strabo and Diodorus ramble a positive, active scope of the Druids engaged in positive capacities as judges, teachers and presiders over ritual matters, including sacrifice. But if we meditate the affirmation of Tacitus, Lucan, Pliny and Pomponius Mela, all of whom wrote in the first century AD, we find new notes creeping in: the connection of Druids with obscure, hidden places such as forests, and more pejorative, emotive descriptions of hazardous rites and practicing put-on. (Green, pg 14) Druids as philosophers, theologians and scientists: ?¦the Druids, in addition o natural ism, tuition also good philosophy. The Druids argon considered the nigh righteous of men¦ (Strabo, Geography IV, 4, 4) It was believed that the Druids were coarse philosophers. They too, equivalent Plato, were in search of the truth. They were considered master of wisdom as Pmponius Mela called them. In addition, perhaps the most evoke fact regarding their philosophy was their beliefs and precepts concerning the hazard of the sense and the nature of its future state. They believed that the soul was unending and when you died, your soul is passed on to someone or something else. They were believed to study things secret and idealistic and tried to explain the high mysteries of nature. (Green, pg 50) Druids argon also believed to have analyze astrology and appe bed to be confidential advisors to the chiefs and kings as to well-to-do and unlucky days. They would also inculcate the warriors of the tribe regarding when to sharpshoot their enemy. They studied the stars; cloud patterns; songs of birds; and shape of tree roots. This may be how they could augur fog and rain. They were also associated with outline up the Coligny calendar. The astronomic observations of the Druids had one very practical use ? that of mathematical calendrical calculations. (Green, pg 50) Druids as judges and lawyers: They were considered the most just of all men. Strabo tell us the following: ?The Druids are considered the most just of men, and on this account they are entrusted with the decision, not only of confidential disputes, but of public disputes as well; so that, in motive times, they even arbitrated cases of war and make the opponents stop when they were most to line up for battle, and the murder cases in vocalismicular were glum over to them for decision. (Strabo, Geography, IV, 4, 4) They had the authority to settle disputes and no one would go against their judgment. In addition, it is also told that they were in weight of carrying out the sentence. This would allow illegalise them from sacrifices, which to the Gauls was worst than end. ?The Druids are have-to doe with with the worship of the gods, witness later on public and private sacrifice, and elaborate religious matters¦.When a private person ¦disobeys their ruling they dismiss them from¦sacrifices. This is their harshest penalty. (Caesar, Gallic War VI, 13) The Druids offered human sacrifices for those who were gravely sick or in danger of death in battle.

Huge wickerwork images were filled with sprightliness men and then burned; although the Druids preferable to sacrifice criminals, they would guide unprejudiced victims if necessary. (Druid Encyclopaedia Britannica). Druids as Teachers/Educators higher up all, Druids were known as the educators of the nobility. However, their teachings could not be written, but quite an had to be intimate by sum total. Oral teaching and learning by heart of mnemonic verses was again part of the ancient tradition of non-literate societies from Ireland, where the early laws were preserved ?by the conjunction memory of the ancients, the transmission from one ear to another, the chanting of the poets. (Piggott, page 113). This may account for why Druids had to have training in their respective field for 20 years. THE ROMANTIC VIEW The romantic view of the Druids is perhaps the most interesting. We believe that most of the folklore regarding them may have come from the Bards of their time. It is also believed that the classical writers could have magnify their powers. The view of a Druid was one that could cast spells; had improve powers; could speak with the otherworld; practiced charming and witchery; were seers into the future; were prophets and oracles and had divine powers. A combination of priest, prophet and astrologers, Druids were believed to posses indeterminate abilities, which were highly prized by kings, as well as spells, which were greatly feared by enemies. (Time animateness Books, pg 27) They were thought to carry a john wand that could turn good deal into animals and could affect the weather by ¦causing snow storms, fog and even showers of blood and fire. They could turn a persons memory of any particular event by concocting a confuse of forgetfulness, and they could sky great victories on the field of operations of operations by mould spells over entire opponent spikeies, by erecting a so-called druids fence that protected their own men, and by creating a magic cloak that rendered a warrior invisible. (Time manner Books, pg 28) It is stated that the Druids did this by standing on one leg, with an arm outstretched and one eye closed, mimicking the posture of a heron. (Time Life Books, pg 28) They used mistletoe as a healing cistron and to aid in fertility. One story told is about the sacrifice of bulls. It is believed that the Druids climb oak trees and with a golden reap hook rationalise down mistletoe, which is caught in a white cloak. They are then told to push the bulls into a blazing fire and they drink the mistletoe. This is believed to acquit fertility to the tribes cattle. in that location are several famous stories about mystical Druids. in that location is the legendary Irish king Medb of Connacht, Merlin, the Morrigan who appears to Cu Chulainn, the story of Deirdre and Conchobar ? regarding the Druid Cathbadh and many more from the Tuatha De Danann, just to trace a few. CONCLUSION In conclusion, regardless whether the Druids could do magic or were just customary philosophers, they are recited in history as very droll people of their time. Druidism is still practiced straight off in many parts of the world. Druidism is considered a very tranquil religion. Their teachings and principles are derived from ancient Druidism, founded on understanding and sound morality. (Isaac Bonewit, joined past Order of Druids) References used J. Bonwick, Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions, sweet York: Dorsett Press (1986) Miranda J. Green, The World of the Druids, refreshful York: Thames and Hudson (1997) Time-Life Books, What Life Was like Among Druids and high school Kings, Virginia: Time Life Inc (1998) Stuart Piggott, The Druids, freshly York & Washington: Frederick A. Praeger (1968) Bards, Ovates and Druids, at: http://druidry.org Druids, entryway and Overview, at: http://www.celt.net Druid Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, at: http://www.search.eb.com Celtic Druidism, at: http://www.neopagan.net If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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