druids

Ancient Celtic priests. The word druid means "wise one." The druids formed a separate, elite class of Celtic society (see CELTIC RELIGION). They were close allies of the kings. According to Julius Caesar, the druids "watch over divine matters, administer public and private sacrifi ces, and rule all matters of religion" (Gallic Wars 6.13). Caesar goes on to describe the druids as preserving the sacred verses of the Celts in memory rather than in writing, educating the young, and teaching that at death souls are reborn. In all of these characteristics the druids resemble the BRAHMINS of India. Unlike brahmins, however, druids did not have to inherit their status. They could choose to become druids. Other ancient authors identify different kinds of druids: priests, poets, and soothsayers. Women could hold the position of soothsayer. Druids ceased to exist when the British Isles were converted to CHRISTIANITY during the fi rst millennium (1–1000) C.E. But during the 19th and especially the 20th centuries, people in Britain and the United States tried to revive the order of druids. They not only used ancient traditions but also relied on images of the druids that arose as late as the 18th century.