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Speaking in riddles

Why didn't the Romans understand the Gauls?

The Romans, two thousand years ago, complained that the Gauls and Celts talked in riddles.

A skilled Druidic Bard, or a Celtic story teller, would deliberately make their stories a many-layered thing, with twists and turns. It would contain literal nonsensical tales that would entertain children and simple folk, but also containing allegorical lessons and knowledge. Children's stories, folk-tales and classic Norse poems routinely combine an amusing story (to be taken literally) along with an allegorical tale that the grown-ups (or enlightened persons) will understand as well.

It is within traditions of poems and mythology that the deepest insights are still preserved. Often disguised in plain sight, in folklore as allegorical tales and riddles.

Next : Mithraic Britain - a lost heritage

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