The Story of
The Druids Last Stand
Suetonius therefore prepared to attack the island of Anglesea, which was well-supplied with inhabitants and was a refuge for
deserters: the infantry went across in ships with the cavalry following in the shallow water or swimming with their horses.
There on the shore was standing a hostile battle line, bristling with weapons and men, with women running around between them;
these, dressed in black like the Furies, were brandishing torches with their hair disheveled; and the Druids were round about
pouring out dire prayers with their hands raised to the sky; they overawed our men with the strangeness of their appearance
so that they exposed their bodies to injury unable to move as if their limbs were paralyzed. Then with their general encouraging
them and urging themselves not to be afraid of a mob of raving women, they carried the standard onwards, cut down whoever
came into their way and engulfed them in their own fire. After this a garrison was put in place over the conquered people
and the groves which were dedicated to their savage rituals were cut down: for the Druids used to think it right to make offerings
of the blood of prisoners on their altars and to consult the gods through the entrails of men
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