Who were the Druids really?
In the absence of indigenous texts, our knowledge of the beliefs, rites, and gods of the Gallic religion is based primarily on the texts of classical authors and archaeological discoveries. Julius Caesar (100–40 BC) occupies a major place among Latin sources: his Gallic Wars , written during the conquest of Gallic territory between 58 and 51 BC, provides vital information on Celtic society. Nevertheless, Caesar's work must be approached with caution. A work of propaganda aimed at the Romans, it is marred by prejudices and erroneous interpretations.
In any case, Caesar's remarks on the Druids are valuable in trying to lift the veil on these key figures in the Gallic religion. According to him, the Druids (the "very learned" in Gaulish) were at the top of the Celtic social hierarchy. The Roman general adds: "They are greatly honored."
“Throughout Gaul there are two classes of men who count and are respected (…) . One is the druids, the other the knights. The former deal with matters of religion, they preside over public and private sacrifices, and regulate religious practices (…) . It is the druids, in fact, who settle almost all conflicts between states or between individuals, and if a crime is committed, if there has been a murder, if a dispute has arisen over inheritance or delimitation, it is they who judge, who fix the satisfactions to be received and given (…) . In addition, they engage in numerous speculations on the stars and their movements, on the dimensions of the world and those of the earth, on the nature of things, on the power of the gods and their attributions, and they transmit these doctrines to the youth.”
Julius Caesar, The Gallic Wars , VI, 13-15. Translation by L.-A. Constans.
Celtic society followed the Indo-European tripartite model highlighted by the linguist Georges Dumézil (1898-1986), with the class of priests, the class of warriors and that of producers (farmers, artisans). The druids "deal with matters of religion" , Caesar tells us: they are therefore considered the priests of the Gauls.
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