The evidence for the nature, importance and general existence of the Druids in Britain can therefore be seen to derive from two discrete, not to say brief, asides. One third and final source appears, at face value, to place the Druids at the very epicentre of the Great Revolt. Written by Tacitus, in the early years of the second century and relating to the Roman attack, led by Suetonius Paullinus, upon Anglesey in AD 59 or 60 (67), it has been used to generate all manner of theories concerning the nature of Druidic power in Britain: He prepared accordingly to attack the island of Mona, which had a considerable population of its own, having served as a haven for refugees; and, in view of the shallow and variable channel, constructed a flotilla of boats with flat bottoms. By this method the infantry crossed; the cavalry, who followed, did so by fording or, in deeper water, by swimming at the side of their horses. On the beach stood the adverse array, a serried mass of arms and men, with women flitting
between the ranks. In the style of Furies, in robes of deathly black and with dishevelled hair, they brandished their torches; while a circle of Druids, lifting their hands to heaven and showering imprecations, struck the troops with such an awe at the extraordinary spectacle that, as though their limbs were paralysed, they exposed their bodies to wounds without an attempt at movement. Then, reassured by their general, and inciting each other never to flinch before a band of females and fanatics, they charged behind the standards, cut down all who met them, and enveloped the enemy in his own flames. The next step was to install a garrison among the conquered population, and to demolish the groves consecrated to their savage cults: for they considered it a duty to consult their deities by means of human entrails (Annals XIV)