[31] δημοκρατοῦνταί τε ὡς πλήθει is the expression of Dio (in _Severo_). Strabo (l. 4, p. 197) describes the Gallic states as Aristocracies, annually choosing “in ancient times”--_i.e._, before the Roman Conquest--a ruler ἡγημόνα, and a general στρατηγὸν; in other words, a _Vergobreith_ and a _Toshach_. [32] _Leg. Gwyn._, l. 2, c. 18. The words of Bruce’s charter (_Thanes of Cawdor_) are “Ita tamen quod terra quam Fergusius dictus Demster tenet ibidem respondeat eidem Willelmo (Thano de Calder) de firma quam reddere consuevit.” It is doubtful whether _Vercingetorix_ was a name or a title, like _Brennus_. _Cynghed_ in Welsh means a _convention_; gorsez _cynghed_ cynnal, a convention held upon urgency. _Ver-cinget-o-rix_ might thus mean “the man chosen king in the convention.” The authority of the Anglo-Saxon princes, sometimes known as _Bretwaldas_, probably resembled that of the earlier Celtic Toshach--they were supreme _Heretogas_ rather than supreme _kings_. Cæsar calls Vercingetorix _Imperator_; commander-in-chief. [33] The verses ascribed to Columba will be found in the various “Chronicles of the Picts,” of Innes, Pinkerton, and the “Irish Version of Nennius,” _J. A. S._ The _rev_ in Mu_rev_, Fort_rev_ is probably to be derived from _reim_ or “realm,” the names meaning “the realms along the sea (Murray, _Muireim_ or Armorica), and along the Forth.” _Ath_-Fodla is equivalent to “Fodla _on this side_ of the Mounth,” exactly answering to the situation of Atholl, immediately to the southward of the Grampian range. Northwards of Atholl the country is still known as _Badenoch_, “the district of the groves,” a name singularly inapplicable to its present state, answering probably to _Fidach_. _Fodh_, a word evidently derived from the same source as the Scandinavian _Odh_, and meaning “earth, land,” is probably at the foot of _Fodhla_ (_Fodh-lad_), or _Fo’la_, which seems to have answered amongst the Gael very much to _Gwlad_. _Fodh_ also means “learning in Gaelic.” The close connection between “mystic lore,” or “divination,” and the possession of land, was not confined to the Gael; it thoroughly pervaded the early Scandinavians.