Note (return) — Chapter XX

Diodorus describes the Druids exhorting combatants to peace, and taming them like wild beasts by enchantment.1043 This suggests interference to prevent the devastating power of the blood-feud or of tribal wars. They also appear to have exercised authority in the election of rulers. Convictolitanis was elected to the magistracy by the priests in Gaul, "according to the custom of the State."1044 In Ireland, after partaking of the flesh of a white bull, probably a sacrificial animal, a man lay down to sleep, while four Druids chanted over him "to render his witness truthful." He then saw in a vision the person who should be elected king, and what he was doing at the moment.1045 Possibly the Druids used hypnotic suggestion; the medium was apparently clairvoyant.