At Dodona stood the δρῦς ὑψίκομος Διός.—Od. XIV. 327. Woods, groves, and trees were the temples and sacred emblems of the Deity among the greater part of the Pagans, but especially among the Teutonic and Celtic tribes. Maximus Tyrius, an author of the second century, informs us, concerning the worship of the Celts:
"Κελτοὶ σέβουσι μὲν Δία, ἄγαλμα δὲ Διὸς Κελτικὸν ὑψηλὴ δρῦς."
And Tacitus gives us the oldest testimonies concerning the Germans, Germ. 9.:
"Ceterum, nec cohibere parietibus Deos, neque in ullam humani oris speciem assimulare, ex magnitudine cœlestium arbitrantur. Lucos ac nemora consecrant, Deorumque nominibus appellant secretum illud, quod sola reverentia vident."
Vid. Germ. 39. cap. 40. cap. 43., &c.
Also, a passage of the later Claudian is to the same purpose:
Ut procul Hercyniæ per vasta silentia silvæ
Venari tuto liceat, lucosque vetusta
Religione truces, et robora Numinis instar
Barbarici, nostræ feriant impune bipennes.