Druids Essay -- essays research papers fc

DRUIDS Who were the Druids?The stereotypical image of a Druid is one of a thoughtful philosopher and magician, schooled in the cognizance of the traditions, and in charge of the education of the chieftains as well as those who sought to obtain knowledge considered obscure by the rest of society. They were knowers of truth, able to manipulate that truth as well as inform others of it. Druids not only influenced society religiously, they also influenced it socially i.e. they took on the parts of teachers, judges, magicians, craftsmen, advisors, priests, and masters of ceremonies, and in doing so, were greatly respected in society.The routine of DruidsTeachersCaesar remarked that Druidism originated in Britain and that students would travel there for instruction, teaching and advice on astronomy, the essential disposition of things, and the power and authority of the Gods- both local and pan- Gaelic deities. Their religion forbade them to redeem win what was being taught, as stat ed by Athelia NihtscadaDruids of the past sought to carry through knowledge through passing their traditions to their students. Unfortunately, they did not feel it prudent to write any of this knowledge down lest the knowledge fall into the wrong reach or lose power, leaving us having to piece together what teensy-weensy we do know from other writers through the ages. Because Nihtscada is a woman born(p) with Celtic roots, and was initiated into the Druidic tradition herself, this modern source is quite reliable. She is also a public speaker with a deep interest in her Celtic heritage. Her aim therefore, was to provide readers with accurate information about the Celts, much of which corresponds with information provided by the Romans.Instead of writing, information was communicated and learnt through verse. In fact, there were so many verses that the druids spent about 20 years studying them, nurture about oral literature of sacred songs, prayers, incantations, divination and m agic. Despite this however, not one verse has survived, nor are there any pure Druidic legends as all of them have been subjected to Christian or Roman interpretation.Master of CeremoniesDruids, as masters of ceremonies, are renowned for administering animal, and sometimes even human sacrifices, as told by the Romans. Pliny the Elder describes one Druidic ceremony in his Naturalis Historia (XVI, 95)"Anything growing... ...ltic lifestyle.Bibliography-      The Early fib of Rome (Books I-V), Titus Livy, PenguinLibrary of History (Books XVI.66-XVII), Diodorus Siculus, Loeb unstained Library-     The Gallic War, Julius Caesar, Loeb Classical Library-     Natural History, Pliny the Elder, Oxford University Press-     The Tain Translated from the Irish Epic Tain Bo Cuailnge, Oxford Paperbacks Tuathail, Sen. The truth of the Ancient Word. Available via internet at ftp//bronze.coil.com/pub/nemeton/lore/e aw.cnl Geography, Strabo, Loeb Classical Library-      http//www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/d/druidism.html-      http//www.religioustolerance.org/druid.htm-      http//witcombe.sbc.edu/earthmysteries/EMDruids.html-      http//celt.net/Celtic/History/d_overview.html-      http//www.britannia.com/wonder/michell2.html-      " flooring of Druids, Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2001. 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation.