Learn About Ancient Druids With Author Barry Cunliffe

From the Irish sagas to Julius Caesar’s memoirs, much has been said of the Druids in ancient times. But who were they, really? Were they the scary-looking men of the forests who demanded human sacrifices for their Gods? Or were they simply wise men, dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge?

Barry Cunliffe explains that instead of being human sacrificing mad men, the Druids were a religious caste who were also the intellectuals of Celtic society. They were the keepers of knowledge for the tribes and were revered throughout the British Isles for their keen wit. The Druids’ main role was that of a priest, as they were expected to be the intermediary between man and the Gods. After that, they taught potential students the oral tradition of their society, so that it might be preserved for future generations.

They also arbitrated many disputes. From simple court cases to working the legalities of war, these learned men were the forerunners of the modern-day lawyers, and without them, Celtic society would have fallen apart at the seems.

If you’ve ever pondered on where the archetypes of beloved fantasy characters such as Merlin the Magician and Gandalf the Grey come from, then look no further than the ancient Druids, who were revered for their knowledge amongst the British tribes!