The earliest Latin writers used vates to denote "prophets" and soothsayers in general; the word fell into disuse in Latin until it was revived by Virgil (External Link). Thus Ovid could describe himself as the of Eros (Amores 3.9). According to the Ancient Greek writers Strabo, (External Link) Diodorus Siculus, (External Link) and Poseidonius, the were one of three classes of Celtic priesthood, the other two being the druids and the bards. The Vates had the role of seers and performed sacrifice… (More on Vates)