Source A: The Role of Druids in Iron Age Britain

"Druids were the spiritual leaders and teachers of the Celtic tribes during the Iron Age. They conducted religious ceremonies, acted as advisors to kings, and were believed to possess special knowledge of nature and the gods. Their role was central to the tribes' social and religious life, often involving rituals in sacred groves and the use of ancient symbols and chants. The Druids also kept oral traditions and laws, which were passed down through generations, maintaining the cohesion and identity of their communities. However, much of what we know about Druids comes from Roman writings, which may be biased or exaggerated. Roman authors often depicted Druids as mystical and powerful, but also as enemies of Roman expansion. Their true beliefs and practices remain partly a mystery due to the lack of written records from the Druids themselves.* Provenance: Tacitus, Annals, 98 AD, Roman historian's account