a druid was a member of the priestly and learned class in the pre-christian, ancient celtic societies. these societies existed through much of western europe, until the roman government took over and, later, christianity arrived. druids were part of the cultures of the tribal peoples who were called "keltoi" ("κέλτοι") or "keltai" ("κέλται") and "galatai" ("γαλάται") by the greeks and "celtae" and "galli" by the romans. in the communities they served, druids combined the duties of priest, arbitrator, healer, scholar, and magistrate. both men and women served as druids, although there is no early proof for female druids, or druidesses.