Druids and Druidism: A Study of Their Real Identity

When interpreting history it is almost akin to separating the wheat from the chaff in farming. Close attention has to be paid to every historical detail that is given. In many cases when studying a historical description the reader can find a particular bias that the author has written with. The writings of Julius Caesar and Pliny are not exempt from being written with a bias when they describe the druids. Both authors are considered to be valid sources on historical events which make the assertions and observations that they noted more reliable than other authors. Upon a cursory observation of the text it seems that Caesar tended to find fewer faults in the druids customs compared to Pliny. This paper will argue and prove that although some of the practices of the druids were barbaric by the civilized Romans, overall they were religious and political leaders with great knowledge and a very important part of the Celtic society.

Throughout Caesar’s account of the druids, Caesar seems to be more concerned with telling the facts and not providing much commentary on the things that he finds barbaric. By only writing about the facts he shows his bias as an author who really is more of a general concerned with numbers and strategy. Caesar starts his description by naming some of their jobs facets. According to Caesars description, druids “intervene in divine matters…look after public and private sacrifices…interpret religious matters” which made them very important figures in Celtic society. (Caesar, 21) From this description alone it can be inferred that they were very involved in every religious facet of the Celtic society. Caesar would have noted this particular aspect because in order for a general or emperor to understand potenti...

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...ous actions. (Caesar, 21)

To bring matters to a close, the druids were wise sages in Celtic societies that dealt with religious and political matters. Their position was one that was sought very intensely by the men in the Celtic society. This position came with many rewards as in the exemption from taxes and that of military service, but it also carried its weight in duties. When there were not sacrifices being overseen the druids were busy with the matters of state and settling disputes. Contrary to the beliefs of Pliny, the druids were not as barbaric as he made them out to be. Likely without any help from the Romans the parts of their rituals that at times can seem barbaric would have faded out with time. The wisdom possessed by the druids that could be applied to every aspect of life would have insured the advancement of the Celtic tradition through history.