Driŏpĭdes, an Athenian ambassador sent to Darius when the peace with Alexander had been violated. Curtius, bk. 3, ch. 13.
Drios, a mountain of Arcadia.
Droi, a people of Thrace. Thucydides, bk. 2, ch. 101.
Dromæus, a surname of Apollo in Crete.
Dropĭci, a people of Persia. Herodotus, bk. 1, ch. 125.
Dropion, a king of Pæonia. Pausanias, bk. 10, ch. 13.
Druentius and Druentia, now Durance, a rapid river of Gaul, which falls into the Rhone between Arles and Avignon. Silius Italicus, bk. 3, li. 468.—Strabo, bk. 4.
Drugĕri, a people of Thrace. Pliny, bk. 4, ch. 11.
Druĭdæ, the ministers of religion among the ancient Gauls and Britons. They were divided into different classes, called the Bardi, Eubages, the Vates, the Semnothei, the Sarronides, and the Samothei. They were held in the greatest veneration by the people. Their life was austere and recluse from the world, their dress was peculiar to themselves, and they generally appeared with a tunic which reached a little below the knee. As the chief power was lodged in their hands, they punished as they pleased, and could declare war and make peace at their option. Their power was extended not only over private families, but they could depose magistrates and even kings, if their actions in any manner deviated from the laws of the state. They had the privilege of naming the magistrates which annually presided over their cities, and the kings were created only with their approbation. They were entrusted with the education of youth, and all religious ceremonies, festivals, and sacrifices were under their peculiar care. They taught the doctrine of the metempsychosis, and believed the immortality of the soul. They were professionally acquainted with the art of magic, and from their knowledge of astrology they drew omens and saw futurity revealed before their eyes. In their sacrifices they often immolated human victims to their gods, a barbarous custom which continued long among them, and which the Roman emperors attempted to abolish, to little purpose. The power and privileges which they enjoyed were beheld with admiration by their countrymen, and as their office was open to every rank and every station, there were many who daily proposed themselves as candidates to enter upon this important function. The rigour, however, and severity of a long noviciate deterred many, and few were willing to attempt a labour, which enjoined them during 15 or 20 years to load their memory with the long and tedious maxims of druidical religion. Their name is derived from the Greek word δρυς, an oak, because the woods and solitary retreats were the places of their residence. Cæsar, Gallic War, bk. 6, ch. 13.—Pliny, bk. 16, ch. 44.—Diodorus, bk. 5.
Druna, the Drome, a river of Gaul, falling into the Rhone.