What are "vates"???????

Question

On Wikipedia it describes that in Celtic religion the vates are some sort of prophet... but could anyone please explain more? I'm trying to figure out a puzzle and really need to know what they are... Thanks so much though to those who will even attempt to answer - I appreciate it so much. :]

Answer 1

(modern Ovates) were the shamans of the Celts, who foretold the future through augury and human sacrifice, The Latin word VATES, [prophet], probably derives from the Celtic and is cognate with the Irish, Fáith [prophet, seer] and the Welsh Gwawd.

http://www.kernunnos.com/culture/druids/...

Answer 2

Chambers Dictionary says it is a Latin word.  That means it's what the Romans called them, not what they called themselves, if you see what I mean.  Vaticinari is just a Latin word for prophet.  I suspect they were what we now call Druids - the priestly class for the various Celtic peoples (who had animistic beliefs rather than one fixed religion).