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The History of the Future

The History of the Future: Episode 2: The Druids

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Episode 2: The Druids

The Druids

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The History of the Future, The Druids

How the Druids' mysterious divining ceremonies foretold the future.

Juliet Gardiner looks at how the Druids used mysterious divining ceremonies to foretell the future. From September 2012.

Juliet Gardiner continues her journey back to the History of the Future with a look into the society of the Druids and their beliefs about the future. 

Druids held a crucial role in Britain, Ireland and Gaul until the first Century AD. Very little evidence of their mysterious culture remains and we might think of them now as the Roman writers portrayed them, wearing white robes and wreaths of mistletoe and oak leaves, making animal, even human sacrifices. One thing is for certain: their powers of prophesy were the sources of awe, fear and political threat to the conquering Romans who saw them as an alternative power base. The Druids are said to have predicted the Fall of the Roman Empire. Was this political expediency or something more mysterious? Juliet sees ancient spoons which may have been used by the Druids in divination ceremonies. 



Produced by Victoria Shepherd
A Juniper Production for BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Series looking at how cultures of the past viewed the possibilities of the future

Juliet Gardiner looks at how cultures of the past viewed the possibilities of the future, and what these visions say about the pre-occupations of the time

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Episode 2: The Druids

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