Information on Druids

[ferratus]

Are there any web sources that I can use that would show what Druids used for religious sites and what their religion was like?

All I can find through Google are sites devoted to neo-paganism, and I simply don't trust them as reputable sources of historical or archeological information.

All I can find for historical sites among the bad sites is references of what classical writers such as Tacitus wrote about the druids, and various locations of found bog mummies who had been sacrificed.

Any websites or articles that deal with modern archeology of druids and their time?

 

[justanobody]

Druids historically were pagans.

 

[frankthedm]

All I can find through Google are sites devoted to neo-paganism, and I simply don't trust them as reputable sources of historical or archeological information.

You are wise.

All i got is Druid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gaius Julius Cæsar's book Commentarii de Bello Gallico may be the best source.

 

[Benimoto]

It's barely a web source, but the book that (I think) inspired the druid class in AD&D is called The Golden Bough. You can read about it on Wikipedia, and there are links to the full text of the book at the bottom of the article. Right in the second paragraph, it outlines the mechanic present in early versions of the class, where in order to gain levels above a certain level, the druid had to find and kill the higher ranks of his order.

It's sort of long and rambling (I recommend the modern, abridged versions) but if you can get through it, it will give you a better understanding of magic and religion that will enhance your D&D game.

 

[ferratus]

I trust Frazer and Joseph Campbell and the rest of the social scientists about as much as I trust the Neo-pagans.

Aren't there any websites on a particular archeological site, or is information hosted by a university's classics program?

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Druids historically were pagans.

Which means as historical pagans, the are likely to have no actual connection of tradition to neo-pagans.

 

[justanobody]

EARTH MYSTERIES: Stonehenge

 

[Set]

I trust Frazer and Joseph Campbell and the rest of the social scientists about as much as I trust the Neo-pagans.

Aren't there any websites on a particular archeological site, or is information hosted by a university's classics program?

Campbell's about as reputatable as it gets in that area of study.

If you don't care for any presentation of what ancient druids believed in, including the practices of their descendents, I'd recommend just making up something that sounds credible to you.

The actual 'druids' are all dead and won't be able to contradict you.

 

[Treebore]

Campbell's about as reputatable as it gets in that area of study.

If you don't care for any presentation of what ancient druids believed in, including the practices of their descendents, I'd recommend just making up something that sounds credible to you.

The actual 'druids' are all dead and won't be able to contradict you.

Well said!!

 

[Shemeska]

Which means as historical pagans, the are likely to have no actual connection of tradition to neo-pagans.

QFT. So very QFT.

That said, there's little in depth about their practices except as described by the Romans (who, viewing them as a threat to Roman occupation, took it upon themselves to wipe them off the face of the planet, and were rather successful in doing just that). And as the Druids were a rather insular educated class, and had no written records, we really only have the Roman descriptions from the period. Caesar may or may not have portrayed them as more bloodthirsty for propaganda purposes, but then again maybe not.

I'm not super versed on the topic of history, but as I recall, there's pretty damn good evidence for human sacrifice (which the Romans talked about in detail).