Author: Barry Cunliffe Publisher: OUP Oxford ISBN: 0191613789 Category : Philosophy Languages : en Pages : 160
Book Description
Who were the Druids? What do we know about them? Do they still exist today? The Druids first came into focus in Western Europe - Gaul, Britain, and Ireland - in the second century BC. They are a popular subject; they have been known and discussed for over 2,000 years and few figures flit so elusively through history. They are enigmatic and puzzling, partly because of the lack of knowledge about them has resulted in a wide spectrum of interpretations. Barry Cunliffe takes the reader through the evidence relating to the Druids, trying to decide what can be said and what can't be said about them. He examines why the nature of the druid caste changed quite dramatically over time, and how successive generations have interpreted the phenomenon in very different ways. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Author: Clayton N. Donoghue Publisher: FriesenPress ISBN: 1525556452 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 126
Book Description
Few subjects have inspired more fascination throughout the centuries than the druids, but were they really as mystical and mysterious as they are often portrayed? In an absorbing mix of scholarly presentation and entertaining stories from folklore and history, The Mysterious Druids takes a deep dive into this question . . . and the answer may surprise you. This meticulously researched study takes readers on a wild romp through history, legend, and mythology. It explores the mystical symbols and healing plants used in druidic life, the druids’ astronomy, and the amazingly advanced medical techniques they employed. There are riveting accounts of battles, cameos from characters like Merlyn and Boudicca, and up-to-the-minute observations on current theories and archeological research. Fueled by a deep love and in-depth understanding of Celtic culture, The Mysterious Druids makes great reading for history buffs and folklore/fantasy lovers alike.
Author: Joachim F. Berger Publisher: tredition ISBN: 338403788X Category : Body, Mind & Spirit Languages : en Pages : 93
Book Description
The Druidic Order has undergone significant change throughout the course of its history, transitioning from ancient rituals to contemporary networks. This book not only investigates the mysterious origins and rituals of the Order, but it also reveals the significant role that the Order had in the development and expansion of Friendly Societies. Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the connections between this remarkable community's past, its present, and its likely future.
Author: Paul Lonigan Publisher: Praeger ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 168
Book Description
This comprehensive study of the Druids offers a fresh look at the enigmatic and often controversial question of the role of these priests in Celtic society. The religion of Druidism is examined as an inheritance of Indo-European tradition, with intriguing analogies made between Irish and Roman cultic practices. The author identifies the functions of the ancient priests, providing an inventory of their duties and services. Druids are also defined in terms of their connections with other branches of Eurasian mysticism. This study will be of particular interest to scholars of Irish culture, Celtic culture, and comparative religion.
Author: Ronald Hutton Publisher: ISBN: Category : Celts Languages : en Pages : 290
Book Description
Serves as a study of what people have thought about the ancient Druids and why. This work looks at the many ways in which Druids have been imagined in Britain since 1500, and what this tells us about modern and early modern society. It also offers insights into the development of British national identities, literary culture and protest movements.
Author: Charles River Editors Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: 9781544877969 Category : Languages : en Pages : 58
Book Description
*Includes pictures. *Includes ancient accounts of the Druids written by Caesar, Cicero, Pliny, and more. *Explains the modern revival of Druids. *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. "Throughout all of Gaul there are two classes of people who are treated with dignity and honor. This does not include the common people, who are little better than slaves and never have a voice in councils. Many of these align themselves with a patron voluntarily, whether because of debt or heavy tribute or out of fear of retribution by some other powerful person. Once they do this, they have given up all rights and are scarcely better than servants. The two powerful classes mentioned above are the Druids and the warriors. Druids are concerned with religious matters, public and private sacrifices, and divination." - Julius Caesar The Celts are one of the most well-known groups in Europe and one of the least understood. Depending on which classifications are used, the Celts are also one of the oldest civilizations in Europe. In the centuries before Christ, the Celts were spread out across much of continental Europe, and though they are mostly identified with Gaul, evidence suggests they also spread as far as Portugal. However, even though they were spread out across Europe before the height of the Roman Empire, most people associate the Celts with the British Isles today, particularly Ireland and Scotland. After they had been relegated to those smaller regions as a result of the Romans and other migrations, the culture of the Celts as it is currently understood began to congeal during the Early Middle Ages, and Celtic culture, folklore, and legend have all become inextricably intertwined with Irish history and British history as a whole. The Celts have fascinated people for centuries, and the biggest fascination of all has been over the Druids, a religious class at the heart of Celtic society that wielded great power. Naturally, people have been interested in Druids for centuries mostly because they don't understand much about the Druids or their practices. The earliest meaning of the word comes from the Ancient Romans, who labeled them "Druidae" in reference to the white robed order of Celtic priests living in Gaul, Britain and Ireland. They were a well-organized, secretive group who kept no written records and performed their rituals - allegedly including human sacrifice - in oaken groves, all of which interested and horrified the Romans. The order was eventually crushed under the weight of first Roman conquest and then the imposition of Christianity, and from the remains, centuries of myths, imaginings and dreams were superimposed over the little that was known about the Druids. Not surprisingly, people have come to associate the Druids with what have been imposed. Even today, there is a revived Druidic religious movement that fuses this skeleton of knowledge about the ancient Druids with ideas such as rituals at standing stones (like Stonehenge), nature and sun worship, the carrying of ornate staves, and Arthuriana. Wider popular culture has seen "Druids" - usually some form of secretive nature-priests - in games like Dungeons and Dragons and World of Warcraft, and films like Wicker Man (1973 and 2006) and Druids (2001). The Druids: The History and Mystery of the Ancient Celtic Priests explores the known and unknown about the Druids, from the historical evidence of their existence and practices to the evolution of Druidic concepts over time. This book also looks at the growth of Druidism since the 1700s, along with the practitioners who embrace new ideas and beliefs. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Druids like you never have before, in no time at all.
Author: Philip Carr-Gomm Publisher: Random House ISBN: 0712661107 Category : Druids and Druidism Languages : en Pages : 194
Book Description
In this beautifully-written guide, Chief Druid Philip Carr-Gomm shows how the way of Druids can be followed today. He explains the ancient history and inspiring beliefs of the ancient Druids; Druidic wild wisdom and their tree-, animal-, and herb-lore; the mysteries of the Druids' seasonal celebrations; their use of magic; and how their spirituality relates to paths such as Wicca. This guide shows how the wild wisdom of the Druids can help us to connect with our spirituality, our innate creativity, the natural world, and our sense of ancestry.
Author: Christopher C. Doyle Publisher: ISBN: 9789385724220 Category : Civilization, Ancient Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
"5 B.C. and 54 B.C. - Julius Caesar invades Britain twice, only to leave empty handed... A.D. 60 - The Romans single-mindedly target the extermination of the Druids and the destruction of their sacred sites. What fear drives them to do so?... Present day - Who were the Druids? Were they priests or astronomers? Scientists or sorcerers? What is the ancient and terrifying secret from the Mahabharata that links the megalithic sites of Britain to the Druids, Julius Caesar and a mysterious queen who lived 4,000 years ago? These are the riddles that Vijay Singh and the task force must answer if they are to save the world from a fate worse than death. But time is running out.... Explore the science behind the Mahabharata in this explosive thriller packed with action, puzzles and mysteries from the past."--Publisher description.
Author: Rudolf Steiner Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press ISBN: 9781855840997 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 110
Book Description
The Sun Initiation of the Druid Priests and their Moon Science; The Mysteries of Ancient Ireland; Celtic Christianity - the Heritage of the Druids; Teachings of the Mysteries - the Spirit in Nature; The Great Mysteries - the Mystery of Christ; The Function of the Standing Stones; Spiritual Imaginations.
Author: Barry Cunliffe
Author: Clayton N. Donoghue
Author: William Winwood Reade
Author: Joachim F. Berger
Author: Paul Lonigan
Author: Ronald Hutton
Author: Charles River Editors
Author: Philip Carr-Gomm
Author: Christopher C. Doyle
Author: Rudolf Steiner