The Philosopher and the Druids: A Journey Among the Ancient CeltsEarly in the first century B.C. a Greek philosopher named Posidonius began an ambitious and dangerous journey into the little-known lands of the Celts. A man of great intellectual curiosity and considerable daring, Posidonius traveled from his home on the island of Rhodes to Rome, the capital of the expanding empire that had begun to dominate the Mediterranean. From there Posidonius planned to investigate for himself the mysterious Celts, reputed to be cannibals and savages. His journey would be one of the great adventures of the ancient world. Posidonius journeyed deep into the heart of the Celtic lands in Gaul. There he discovered that the Celts were not barbarians but a sophisticated people who studied the stars, composed beautiful poetry, and venerated a priestly caste known as the Druids. Celtic warriors painted their bodies, wore pants, and decapitated their foes. Posidonius was amazed at the Celtic women, who enjoyed greater freedoms than the women of Rome, and was astonished to discover that women could even become Druids. Posidonius returned home and wrote a book about his travels among the Celts, which became one of the most popular books of ancient times. His work influenced Julius Caesar, who would eventually conquer the people of Gaul and bring the Celts into the Roman Empire, ending forever their ancient way of life. Thanks to Posidonius, who could not have known that he was recording a way of life soon to disappear, we have an objective, eyewitness account of the lives and customs of the ancient Celts. |
Contents
1 | |
7 | |
2 Beginnings | 18 |
3 Delphi | 26 |
4 Galatia | 39 |
5 Rome | 52 |
6 Spain | 67 |
7 Massalia | 78 |
12 Bards | 138 |
13 Gods | 144 |
14 Druids | 157 |
15 Conquest | 175 |
The Celtic Heritage | 189 |
Time Line | 195 |
A Glossary of Gaulish Words | 197 |
Pronunciation Guide | 199 |
Other editions - View all
The Philosopher and the Druids: A Journey Among the Ancient Celts Philip Freeman Limited preview - 2006 |
The Philosopher and the Druids: A Journey Among the Ancient Celts Philip Freeman No preview available - 2008 |
The Philosopher and the Druids: A Journey Among the Ancient Celts Philip Freeman No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
Acichorius Aedui Alesia Alexander Alps ancient Celts archaeologists Asia Minor Athenaeus Atlantic attack bards battle Boudicca Brennus Britain Caesar Camma Celtiberians Celtic languages Celtic tribes Celtic warriors Celtic women Celtic world Celts chariot Chiomara classical coast culture death defeated Deipnosophistae Delphi Diodorus Siculus divine Druidic Druids early Egypt enemy Epigraph Etruscans Europe feast fight Galatians Gaulish language Gaulish tribes Gaulish warriors goddess gods Greece Greek Greek and Roman Hallstatt head Helvetii Herodotus honor human sacrifice inscriptions Ireland island Italy journey Kidd La Tène land language later leader Ligurians lived Lugus Massalia medieval Irish Mediterranean modern mountains named native nearby northern Passages Persian philosopher poet Polybius Posido Posidonius Posidonius says Posidonius's Pytheas Rhodes ritual River Rome sailed single combat Sinorix slaves Spain spears story swords Tartessus temple Tène third century B.C. tion town troops Vercingetorix weapons wine worship writing young