EXCOMMUNICATION, or a being secluded from a participation in the mysteries of religion, was also in use under paganism.
Such as were thus excommunicated were forbidden to assist or attend at the sacrifices, or enter within the temples; and were afterwards delivered over to the
demons and furies of hell, with certain imprecations; which was called among the Romans diris devovere. See EXCINATION.
The Druids among the ancient Britons and Gauls, likewise, made use of excommunication against rebels; and interdicted the communion of their mysteries to such as refused to acquiesce in their decisions. See DRUIDS.