National Geographic Precis

Rhetorical Précis:
Druids Committed Human Sacrifice, Cannibalism?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090320-druids-sacrifice-cannibalism.html

James Owen’s article Druids Committed Human Sacrifice, Cannibalism, featured in the National Geographic resurrects the claim that the ancient Celt leaders the Druids may have performed ritual sacrifices and even been partakers of human flesh. Owen uses a number of quotes and some vivid imagery to provide reason and evidence as to why many historians would consider the Druids as cannibals or leaders of ritualistic sacrifices. Owen uses a quote from Roman emperor at the time of the Druids Julius Caesar as evidence on why historians and archaeologist would think badly of the Druids who, “believe that the gods delight in the slaughter of prisoners and criminals, and when the supply of captives run short, they sacrifice even the innocent.” Owen even uses a fact about the Lindow Man who was discovered in England in the 1980s who had manicured finger nails and a preserved gut, but with bones broken as to take out the ingestible bone marrow. The discovery of the Lindow Man suggest that the Druids could have been leaders who performed ritual sacrifices or cannibals who devoured humans in a painful manner, “rope tightened around the neck,throat cut”, because of advancing Roman troops. Owen’s purpose is to bring to light more evidence and support for the claim that the ancient Druids could have been cannibals.

Discussion Questions:
Style: Does the numerous quotes in Owen’s article made by historians make the argument more plausible even though some evidence is only inferences?
Application: Could the possibility of Druids being cannibals have influenced other peoples?