I made this table a few years back showing all classical references of Druids in both Britain and Gaul. Not much insight on the discussion, but it does shed some light on how classical authors looked at Druids.
| Author |
Dates |
Text |
Themes |
| Aristotle (attrib.) |
384-332 B.C. |
The Magikos, cited by Diogenes Laeterius (A.D. 225-250)Vitae 1.1 |
Druids are barbarian philosophers of the Celts and Galatai |
| Sotion (attrib.) |
2nd cntury B.C. |
Succession of Philosophers 23, cited by Diogenes Laertius (A.D. 225-250)Vitae 1.1 |
Druids are barbarian philosophers of the Celts and Galatai |
| Polyhistor |
c. 105-35 B.C. |
Cyril of Alexander (Archbishop A.D. 412-444)Contra Julianum 4 |
Polyhistor numbered the druids of Gaul among the barbarian philosophers |
| Cicero |
106-43 B.C. |
De Divinatione 1.90 |
Divination practiced by the druids, including Diviciacus, and Aeduan contemperary of Cicero. |
| Julius Caesar |
100-44 B.C. |
De Bello Gallico 6.13-14
De Bello Gallico 6.16.1-3
De Bello Gallico 6.18.1
|
Function of Druids
Druids officiate at sacrifices
Druidic tradition that the Gauls are descended from Dis. |
| Diodorus Siculus |
c. 100 B.c. - |
Biblioteke 5.31.2-5 |
Bards/druids/Manteis |
| Timagenes |
80/75 B.C.-end 1st century B.C. |
cited by Amm. Marc. 15.9.4-8 (Ammianus Marcellinus A.D. 330-c. 391) |
Bards/druids/Euhagis |
| Strabo |
63/3 B.C.-c. A.D. 21 |
Geographia 4.4.4 |
Bards/druids/Ouateis |
| Pliny |
A.D. 23/4-79 |
Historia Naturalis 16.249
Historia Naturalis 20.103-4
Historia Naturalis 29.52
Historia Naturalis30.4
|
Druid mistletoe cutting ceremony.
Druid's use of plants.
The druid's egg, anguinum. A Vocontian put to death by Claudius for concealing one.
Tiberius issued decree against druids, diviners, and physicians. The druids craft has crossed the Ocean. |
| Lucan |
A.D. 39-65 |
Pharsalia 1.450-8 |
Druids inhabit groves. They profess knowledge of the gods/soul. |
| Mela |
fl. c. A.D. 43 |
De Chorographia 3.2.18-19 |
Druidic knowledge of heavens. They instruct the nobles and meet secretly in caves or groves. |
| Tacitus
| A.D. 56/7-120/123 |
Annals 14.30
Histories 4.54 |
Druids curse troops during Suetonius' attack on Mona.
Druids prophecy end of Empire during Civilis revolt. |
| Dio Chrysostom |
A.D. 40-112 |
Orationes 49 |
Celtic druids concern themselves with divination and wisdom. |
| Clement of Alexandria |
c. A.D. 150-212 |
Stromata 6, 3.33.2 |
Druids are among the barbarian philosophers. |
| Suetonius |
Early 2nd century A.D. |
Claudius 25 |
Claudius suppressed the Druidic religion, which had been forbidden to Roman citizens by Augustus. |
| Hippolytus |
c. A.D. 170-236 |
Philosophumena 1.25 |
Celtic druids as 'Pythagorean' philosophers, seers, and magicians. |
| Diogenes Laertius |
fl. A.D. 225-250 |
Vitae 1.1 (see Aristotle, above)
Vitae 1.5 |
See above.
Druids pronounce by means of riddles and dark sayings. |
| Lampridius |
3rd century A.D. |
Scriptores Historiae Augustae Alexander Severus 60.6 |
A female Gallic druid prophesied the defeat of Severus. |
| Vopiscus |
3rd century A.D. |
Scriptores Historiae Augustae Aurelian 44.4
Scriptores Historiae Augustae Numeranius 14 |
Aureleian asked female druids in Gaul if the imperial power would remain with his descendents.
A female druid prophesied Diocletian would be Emperor. |
| Ausonius |
4th century A.D. |
Commem. Prof.4.7.10
Commem. Prof. 10.22.30 |
Attius Patera descended from the druids.
Phoebicus descended from the druids of Bordeaux. |