quote:

There are a couple of rather colourful interpretations on the TT C4 website.

They don't seem to have the reference to druid teaching in Britain. Here it is:

quote:

Over all these Druids one presides, who possesses supreme authority among them. Upon his death, if any individual among the rest is pre-eminent in dignity, he succeeds; but, if there are many equal, the election is made by the suffrages of the Druids; sometimes they even contend for the presidency with arms. These assemble at a fixed period of the year in a consecrated place in the territories of the Carnutes, which is reckoned the central region of the whole of Gaul. Hither all, who have disputes, assemble from every part, and submit to their decrees and determinations. This institution is supposed to have been devised in Britain, and to have been brought over from it into Gaul; and now those who desire to gain a more accurate knowledge of that system generally proceed thither for the purpose of studying it.

Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic and Civil Wars, trans. W. A. McDevitte, 6.13.

quote:

Originally posted by Steffan:
No, part of the reason that I was disappointed in this episode was that it produced no serious debate on the subject. I would expect Key Stage 2 kids to be more critical of their sources. Where was Miranda though? Too busy talking about Hadrian's Wall in Timewatch?

Damn.

I was waiting for Miranda to pop along but gathered that she wasnt needed as the finds didnt warrant such a worthy guest. perhaps she was on standby...

No it didnt produce worthy debate but now they know about that 'natural blanket' then surely the next lot to have a rumble there will be able to use better excavation techniques.

I got a bit lost in this one and have to watch it again. I thought that they targetted the right areas but how many were looked at again after Francis had discovered that they were not hitting the IA archaeology? From what I remember they didnt have much time left.

This 'natural blanket' did not look right to me at all, far to stoney for my liking. If all that stone had something to do with the roundhouse consrtuction and the roman coins were found on top of it then could this be a cause to say possible Roman destruction?

If I have time when I get back in from work tonight I'll have another gander.

And what about the burial? The Bronze Age landscape seems amazing in that area. About a mile away there is a BA cemetery with at least three cist burials.

However, can't go looking for BA archaeology, there are Druids to be found.

quote:

Originally posted by AJ ap:


There is no evidence for there being a Druidic stronghold on that Island.

(Should have waited to see the programme first)

but Tacitus does mention Druids on Anglesley

"...raising their hands to heaven and screaming dreadful curses"


and that the Suetonius

"The groves devoted to Mona's barbarous superstition he demolished"

quote:

Originally posted by Vlad the Impala:

quote:

Originally posted by AJ ap:There is no evidence for there being a Druidic stronghold on that Island.

but Tacitus does mention Druids on Anglesley
"...raising their hands to heaven and screaming dreadful curses"
and that the Suetonius
"The groves devoted to Mona's barbarous superstition he demolished"

There may have been Druids present on Anglesey, and Suetonius may well have seen Druids at the assault on the island. However, where does this idea of it being a Druidic stronghold come from?

quote:

Druidic stronghold

It is an odd idea. Caesar tells us that the druids didn't fight. It is easy to buy the idea of Anglesey as the refuge of anti-Roman Britons. The island has natural protection, behind the Welsh mountains and then the sea. So we can see it as a stronghold. And evidently druids were there, as we would expect. But they were a part of British society, not the whole of it.

I suppose it makes sense if 'druidic' is being used to describe the religion of the people, rather than the composition of the fighting forces, as we might say "Christian army" or "Christian castle" to mean crusaders.

quote:

Originally posted by Jean Manco:

quote:

Druidic stronghold

It is an odd idea. Caesar tells us that the druids didn't fight.

Now thats how I took it.

So imagine my surprise when I read your post earlier. Have misunderstood the word arms?

quote:

Originally posted by Jean Manco:

quote:

Over all these Druids one presides, who possesses supreme authority among them. Upon his death, if any individual among the rest is pre-eminent in dignity, he succeeds; but, if there are many equal, the election is made by the suffrages of the Druids; sometimes they even contend for the presidency with arms.

Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic and Civil Wars, trans. W. A. McDevitte, 6.13.

My, these Druids dont half cause a cufuffle.

quote:

Originally posted by Steffan:
And what about the burial? The Bronze Age landscape seems amazing in that area. About a mile away there is a BA cemetery with at least three cist burials.

However, can't go looking for BA archaeology, there are Druids to be found.

Well to be fair that has been done on a lot of episodes.

Yes, you are right, of course. Well, I'll have to leave you to it. I'm off to bed for four hours kip before starting off for Scotland. Back Sunday. See you.

Have a good 'un Steff.

Hmmm, I was thinking about building a wicker man and filling it with a certain human sacrifice on Saturday afternoon.

quote:

Originally posted by Steffan:
Hmmm, I was thinking about building a wicker man and filling it with a certain human sacrifice on Saturday afternoon.

sounds ominous....ooo err

Its ok, the guy he was on about is from Llanelli, well, Burry Port to be exact.

thats ok then...a few miles west of me then

quote:

Hmmm, I was thinking about building a wicker man and filling it with a certain human sacrifice on Saturday afternoon.

I've got a little list, yes I've got a little list.. and they'd none of them be missed!

Blimey, what have I started. I was thinking of continuing the suggested tradition of burning Celtic criminals. Actually, is it much of a sacrifice if it involves criminals? Shouldn't a sacrifice be giving up something of worth to those doing the sacrificing?

I guess most criminals would consider the life they have worthwhile.

quote:

Blimey, what have I started. I was thinking of continuing the suggested tradition of burning Celtic criminals.

But Steffan -the ones I was thinking about could at a stretch be called Celtic criminals!

quote:

Originally posted by Ann W.:

quote:

Blimey, what have I started. I was thinking of continuing the suggested tradition of burning Celtic criminals.

But Steffan -the ones I was thinking about could at a stretch be called Celtic criminals!

Fair enough! I'm not tellinmg you where I live though.

Theres an article by Miranda Aldhouse Green in a BAR International Series volume about warfare and violence on sacrifice and violence during this period. Could be relevant to what this is about. Number 1374 I think... I keep meaning to read it but keep getting caught up

quote:

Originally posted by Hatshepsut:
Theres an article by Miranda Aldhouse Green in a BAR International Series volume about warfare and violence on sacrifice and violence during this period. Could be relevant to what this is about. Number 1374 I think... I keep meaning to read it but keep getting caught up

Now then, I haven't seen that one. I wonder if it contains similar material to her 'Dying for the Gods' book.