Druids

Druids were members of a learned class among the ancient Celtic peoples, especially in Gaul, Britain, and Ireland. They are known primarily from Greek and Roman authors and from later Irish medieval texts; the druids themselves left few contemporary records. Their roles varied, but they are commonly described as religious specialists who oversaw ceremonies and sacrifices, as well as legal decisions, education, and political advising within communities.

Education was lengthy and oral: candidates studied for many years under established druids, learning lore, philosophy, astronomy, and law through memorization and oral transmission rather than writing. Druids were regarded as custodians of sacred knowledge and held a high social status, sometimes described as exempt from certain civic duties or military service in some contexts.

The etymology of the term is uncertain. It is often linked to a Proto-Celtic root associated with trees, particularly the oak, and to the sense of seer or knower. The oak grove figure is a recurring motif in Celtic symbolism, with the druidic office often connected to sacred groves.

With the expansion of the Roman Empire and Christianization, druidic institutions declined. In Gaul and Britain they were gradually marginalized or suppressed, and by late antiquity they had largely disappeared as a distinct class. Ireland preserved a bardic and scholarly tradition longer, but druidic practice waned in the medieval period.

In modern times, there has been a revival movement known as modern Druidry, drawing on medieval sources, folklore, and contemporary nature spirituality. Modern Druids emphasize ritual practice, study of history and myth, and a nature-centered perspective.