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The Celtic deities are known from a variety of sources such as written Celtic mythology, ancient places of worship, statues, engravings, religious objects, as well as place and personal names.
Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. General deities were known by the Celts throughout large regions, and are the gods and goddesses called upon for protection, healing, luck, and honour. The local deities from Celtic nature worship were the spirits of a particular feature of the landscape, such as mountains, trees, or rivers, and thus were generally only known by the locals in the surrounding areas.
After Celtic lands became Christianised, there were attempts by Christian writers to euhemerize or even demonize most of the pre-Christian deities, while a few others became Saints in the church. The Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology, who were commonly interpreted as divinities or deified ancestors, were downgraded in Christian writings to, at best "fallen angels", or mere mortals, or even portrayed as demons.
Ancient Gaulish and Brittonic deities
[edit]The Gauls inhabited the region corresponding to modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, Luxembourg and northern Italy. They spoke Gaulish. The Celtic Britons inhabited most of the island of Great Britain and spoke Common Brittonic or British.
Female
[edit]- Abnoba - Gaulish goddess worshipped in the Black Forest
- Acionna - Gaulish goddess of the river Essonne[1]
- Adsagsona - Gallic goddess of magic named on the Larzac tablet[2]
- Adsullata - goddess of the River Sava
- Agronā - hypothetical Brittonic goddess of the River Ayr
- Alantedoba - a goddess in Val Camonica[3]
- Ancamna - Gallic goddess in the Moselle Valley
- Ancasta - Brittonic goddess of Clausentum
- Andarta - Gallic goddess
- Andrasta - Brittonic goddess of victory
- Annea Clivana - Gallic goddess of the Cenomani
- Apadeva - a water goddess[4]
- Arduinna - Gallic goddess of the Ardennes Forest
- Arnemetia - Brittonic goddess of nemetons
- Artio - Gallic goddess of the bear
- Axona - Gallic goddess of the river Aisne[5]
- Belisama - Gallic and Brittonic goddess
- Bergusia - Gallic goddess of Alesia, companion of Ucuetis
- Bormana - Gallic goddess of mineral springs, companion of Bormanos
- Bricta (Brixta) - Gallic goddess of Luxeuil mineral springs, companion of Luxovios
- Brigantia - Brittonic goddess of the Brigantes
- Carpundia - a river goddess[1]
- Carvonia - a goddess in Noricum[6]
- Cathubodua - Gallic war goddess
- Caticatona - a Gallic water goddess in Rauranum[7]
- Cissonia - a Gallic goddess of trade, companion of Cissonius[4]
- Clota - hypothetical Brittonic goddess of the River Clyde[1]
- Coventina - Brittonic goddess of wells and springs
- Damona - Gallic goddess of mineral springs, consort of Apollo Borvo and of Apollo Moritasgus
- Dea Latis - Brittonic goddess of bogs and pools,[8] companion of Deus Latis
- Dea Matrona - "divine mother goddess" and goddess of the River Marne in Gaul
- Divona[9] - Gallic goddess of sacred springs and rivers
- Epona - fertility goddess, protector of horses
- Erecura - goddess of death and fertility
- Icauna - Gallic goddess of the river Yonne
- Icovellauna - Gallic goddess in the Moselle Valley
- Imona - a Gallic well goddess in Rauranum[10]
- Inciona - a Gallic goddess of the Treveri
- Lerina - Gallic patron goddess of Lérins Islands, companion of Lero
- Litavis - a Gallic earth goddess
- Maiabus - a Gallic goddess in Metz[11]
- Matronae Dervonnae - Gallic mother goddesses in Cisalpine Gaul[12][13]
- Matronae Vediantiae (Deae Vediantiae) - Gallic mother goddesses in Alpes Maritimae[14]
- Maximia - fountain goddess in Amélie-les-Bains[15]
- Nemetona - a Celtic goddess with roots in northeastern Gaul.
- Nehalennia - a sea goddess in Zealand
- Nantosuelta - Gallic goddess, companion of Sucellos
- Ricagambeda - Brittonic goddess
- Ritona (Pritona) - Gallic goddess of the Treveri
- Rosmerta - Gallic goddess of fertility and abundance
- Sabrina - Brittonic goddess of the River Severn
- Seixomniai Leuciticai - a Celtic goddess, equated with Diana[16]
- Senuna - a Brittonic goddess
- Sequana - Gallic goddess of the River Seine
- Sirona - Gallic goddess of healing
- Suleviae - a triune mother goddess
- Sulis - Brittonic goddess of the healing spring at Aquae Sulis (Bath)
- Tamesis - Brittonic goddess of the River Thames
- Veica Noriceia - a goddess attested in Noricum[16]
- Verbeia - Brittonic goddess of the River Wharfe
- Vesunna - Gallic goddess of the Petrocorii[1]
- Vibēs - a goddess in Noricum[17]
Male
[edit]- Abandinus - a Brittonic god of Durovigutum
- Alaunus (Alaunos) - a Gallic god of healing and prophecy
- Alisanos - a Gallic god
- Alus - an agricultural god of Cisalpine Gaul[3]
- Ambisagrus - a god in Aquileia
- Arubianus - a god in Noricum[17]
- Atepomarus - a Gallic horse god
- Bedaius - a lake god in Noricum[17]
- Belatucadros (Bitucadros) - a Brittonic god
- Belenus (Belenos) - a god of healing
- Bergimus - a mountain god of Cisalpine Gaul[16]
- Borvo (Bormanos) - god of healing springs
- Brasennus - a god known from a lone inscription in Cisalpine Gaul[3]
- Caletos[18]
- Caturix - war god of the Helvetii
- Cernunnos (Carnonos) - an antlered god
- Cissonius - a Gallic god of trade[4]
- Mars Cnabetius - a Gallic god of war[19]
- Condatis - a Gallic and Brittonic god of the confluences of rivers
- Cunomaglus - a Brittonic hunter god[20]
- Cuslanus - a god in Cisalpine Gaul associated with Jupiter[3]
- Deus Latis - a Brittonic god
- Deus Ducavavius - a god known from a lone inscription in Cisalpine Gaul[16]
- Deus Orevaius - a god known from a lone inscription at Cemenelum[16]
- Dorminus - god of the hot springs at Aquae Statiellae[16]
- Intarabus - a Gallic god of the Treveri
- Esus - a Gallic god
- Glanis - Gallic god of Glanum
- Gobannus (Gobannos) - a Gallic and Brittonic smith god
- Grannus - a healing god[20]
- Ialonus Contrebis - a Brittonic and Gallic god
- Latobius - a god in Noricum[21]
- Lero - Gallic patron god of Lérins Islands[8]
- Loucetios - a Gallic god of thunder
- Maponos - a Brittonic and Gallic god of youth
- Matunos - a Brittonic and Gallic bear god
- Moccus - a Gallic god of boars and pigs
- Moritasgus - Gallic healing god of Alesia
- Mullo - a Gallic god in Armorica
- Nemausus - Gallic god of Nîmes
- Niskus - a Brittonic river god
- Nodens (Nodons) - a Brittonic god of healing, dogs and hunting
- Ogmios - a Gallic god of eloquence
- Paronnus - a god known from a lone inscription at Brixia[16]
- Rudiobus - a Gallic god in Loiret
- Smertrios - a Gallic god
- Souolibrogenos - a Galatian god[22]
- Sucellus (Sucellos) - a Gallic and Brittonic god of agriculture and wine
- Tavianos - a Galatian god[23]
- Taranis (Tanaros) - a god of thunder
- Toutatis - a tribal protector god
- Telesphorus - a Galatian god
- Tridamos - a Brittonic god
- Ucuetis - Gallic blacksmith god of Alesia
- Vellaunus - a Brittonic and Gallic god
- Vernostonos - a Brittonic god
- Vindonnus - an epithet for Belenus
- Vinotonus - a Brittonic god of Lavatrae
- Viridios - a Brittonic god of Ancaster
- Virotutis - a Gallic epithet of Apollo
- Visucius - a Gallo-Roman god of trade
- Vosegus - Gallic god of the Vosges Mountains
- Viscosus - Gaellic king of the gods
Iberian Celtic deities
[edit]The Celtiberians and Gallaecians were ancient Celtic peoples in Iberia. They spoke Hispano-Celtic languages.
Female
[edit]- Asidiae[24]
- Ataegina (Ataecina)[25]
- Besenclā (Besenclae) - a community and house protector[24]
- Broeneiae[24]
- Coruae[24]
- Cosuneae[24]
- Crougeae (Corougiae)
- Deae sanctae (Burrulobrigensi)[24]
- Deiba[26]
- Epane (Epona, Iccona)
- Erbina - a goddess of wild animals, hunting, and domestic security[25]
- Ermae[24]
- Flauiae Conimbriga (Flauiae Conimbrigae)[24]
- Ilurbeda[27]
- Lacipaea (Lacibiā, Lacibea)[25]
- Laneana (Laneanis) - a goddess of springs and floods[25]
- Losa[28]
- Luna Augusta[29]
- Mirobleo[30]
- Munidis[25]
- Nabia (Navia) - versatile goddess[25]
- Nymphis[30]
- Ocrimirae[30]
- Reva (Reua) - personification of water flows[31]
- Toga[25]
- Trebaruna[25]
- Trebopala
- Tutelae[30]
Male
[edit]- Aernus[32][24]
- Aetio[24]
- Araco[24]
- Ares Lusitani
- Bandua[33]
- Bormanicus (Bormo, Borvo)
- Cariocecus
- Carneo[24]
- Cohue[34]
- Cosus (Cossue, Coso)[35]
- Crouga[34]
- Duberdicus[24]
- Deo Nemedeco[30]
- Deo Paramaeco[30]
- Endovelicus[11][24]
- Erriapus[36]
- Issibaeo[24]
- Kuanikio (Quangeio, Quangeius)[37]
- Lugus[34]
- Mermandiceo[30]
- Picio[30]
- Reo[38]
- Salama[39]
- Sucellus[40]
- Tabaliaenus[41]
- Tabudico[30]
- Tongoenabiagus
- Turiacus[30]
- Vorteaeceo[26]
- Visucius[42]
Gaelic deities and characters
[edit]The Gaels inhabited Ireland and parts of western Scotland. They spoke Goidelic languages.
Female
[edit]- Achtland
- Aibell
- Aimend
- Aífe
- Áine - goddess of summer, wealth and sovereignty
- Airmed - goddess of healing and herbalism[43]
- Anu - probable goddess of the earth and fertility,[44] called "mother of the Irish gods" in Cormac's Glossary[45]
- Bec
- Bébinn (Béfind)
- Bé Chuille
- Bodhmall
- Boann - goddess of the River Boyne, called Bouvinda by Ptolemy[46]
- Brigid (Brigit) - called a "goddess of poets" in Cormac's Glossary,[45] with her sisters Brigid the healer and Brigid the smith[47]
- Caillech (Beira, Biróg) - an ancestral creator and weather goddess
- Canola
- Carman
- Cethlenn - wife of Balor of the Fomorians
- Clídna[1]
- Clothru
- Danand (Danu)
- Deirdre - the foremost tragic heroine in Irish legend
- Duibne - attested as Dovinia in Archaic Irish and preserved in the name of the Corcu Duibne[46]
- Ériu, Banba & Fódla - tutelary triumvirate of goddesses, sisters, eponymous for Ireland (mainly Ériu)
- Ernmas
- Étaín - the heroine of Tochmarc Étaíne
- Ethniu (Ethliu) - the daughter of the Fomorian leader Balor and the mother of Lugh
- Fand
- Finnabair[20]
- Flidais
- Fuamnach
- Gráinne
- Grian
- Lí Ban
- Loígde - attested as Logiddea in Archaic Irish and preserved in the name of the Corcu Loígde[46]
- Macha
- Medb (Medb Lethderg)
- Mongfind
- The Morrígan, Badb, Nemain - also known as "The Thee Morrígna"
- Mór Muman (Mugain)
- Niamh
- Sadhbh
- Tailtiu
- Tlachtga
Male
[edit]- Abarta
- Abcán
- Abhean
- Aed
- Aengus (Óengus, Macán)
- Ailill
- Aillen
- Aí
- Balor
- Bith
- Bodb Dearg
- Bres
- Builg - a god of the Fir Bholg[48]
- Cermait
- Cian
- Cichol
- Conand
- Crom Cruach
- The Dagda (Dáire)
- Dian Cecht - called a "god of health" in Cormac's Glossary[49]
- Donn[50]
- Ecne
- Elatha
- Goibniu, Credne & Luchta - called the "three gods of craft"[45]
- Labraid
- Lén
- Lir
- Lugh - also attested as Lugus in Archaic Irish[51]
- Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, Mac Gréine
- Manannán mac Lir
- Miach
- Midir
- Mug Ruith
- Néit - called a "god of war" in Cormac's Glossary[45]
- Nuada (Nechtan, Elcmar)[52]
- Ogma
- Tethra
- Tuirenn (Delbáeth)
Brythonic deities and characters
[edit]The Brythonic peoples, descendants of the Celtic Britons, inhabited western Britain (mainly Scotland Strathclyde, Wales, Cumbria and Cornwall) and Brittany. They spoke the Brythonic languages.
Female
[edit]- Arianrhod
- Blodeuwedd
- Branwen
- Ceridwen
- Creiddylad
- Creirwy
- Dôn
- Gwenhwyfar
- Modron - possible derivation of Dea Matrona
- Nimue
- Olwen
- Rhiannon
Male
[edit]- Afallach
- Amaethon
- Arawn - king of the otherworld realm of Annwn
- Beli Mawr
- Bladud
- Bendigeidfran (Brân the Blessed)
- Culhwch
- Dylan ail Don
- Efnysien
- Euroswydd
- Gilfaethwy
- Gofannon (Govannon) - a smith god
- Gwern[20]
- Gwydion
- Gwyddno Garanhir
- Gwyn ap Nudd
- Hafgan
- Lludd Llaw Eraint (Nudd)
- Llŷr
- Mabon
- Matholwch
- Manawydan
- Nisien (Nissien, Nissyen)
- Pryderi
- Pwyll
- Taliesin
- Ysbaddaden
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e MacCulloch.
- ^ Mees 68.
- ^ a b c d Murley 90.
- ^ a b c Adkins and Adkins, 283.
- ^ Anwyl 38.
- ^ de Bernardo Stempel; Kos.
- ^ Nicholson 132.
- ^ a b Adkins 294.
- ^ Nicholson 137.
- ^ Nicholson xvi.
- ^ a b Olivares Pedreño 635.
- ^ Murley 87.
- ^ Anwyl 41.
- ^ Murley 87.
- ^ Nicholson 160.
- ^ a b c d e f g Murley v.
- ^ a b c Tabbernee.
- ^ Anwyl 39.
- ^ CIL XIII, 06572, CIL XIII, 04507, CIL XIII, 06455
- ^ a b c d Freeman 4.
- ^ Dimitz 15.
- ^ Koch 849.
- ^ Roymans and Derks 134.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Arenas-Esteban 110.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Olivares Pedreño 610.
- ^ a b Arenas-Esteban 112.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 614.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 611.
- ^ Rankin 263.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Arenas-Esteban 111.
- ^ Simón.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 610.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 638.
- ^ a b c Olivares Pedreño 609.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 612.
- ^ Dorsey 59.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 636.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 626.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 627.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 607.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 632.
- ^ Olivares Pedreño 631.
- ^ Coulter and Turner 151.
- ^ Lurker 13.
- ^ a b c d Koch 1693-1697.
- ^ a b c Williams 28.
- ^ MacCulloch 101.
- ^ Green 18.
- ^ Williams 81
- ^ Coulter and Turner 155.
- ^ Williams 18.
- ^ Coulter and Turner 165.
Works cited
[edit]- Adkins, Lesley; Adkins, Roy A. (2004). Handbook to life in ancient Rome (Updated ed.). New York: Facts on file. p. 283. ISBN 0-8160-5026-0.
- Anwyl, Edward (1906). Celtic Religion in Pre-Christian Times. Andover-Harvard Theological Library.
- Arenas-Esteban, J. Alberto (2010). Celtic religion across space and time: fontes epigraphici religionvm celticarvm antiqvarvm. Toledo: Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha. ISBN 978-84-7788-589-4.
- de Bernardo Stempel, Patrizia (2003). "Die sprachliche Analyse keltischer Theonyme". Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie. 53 (1): 41–69. doi:10.1515/ZCPH.2003.41. S2CID 201278751.
- Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2000). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn. ISBN 1-57958-270-2.
- Dimitz, August. History of Carniola. Vol. I.
- Dorcey, Peter F. (1992). The cult of Silvanus: a study in Roman folk religion. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 90-04-09601-9.
- Freeman, Philip (2017). Celtic Mythology: Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes. Oxford UP. ISBN 978-0-19-046047-1.
- "Greek & Roman Mythology - Tools". http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/tools/dictionary.php?regexp=RHEA&method=standard.
- Green, Miranda Jane (1993). Celtic myths. Austin: U of Texas P. ISBN 0-292-72754-2.
- Keating, Geoffrey (1857). The History of Ireland from the Earliest Period to the English Invasion. P. M. Haverty.
- Koch, John T. (2006). Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 1-85109-440-7.
- Kos, Marjeta Šašel (2008). "Dedicanti e Cultores nelle Reliogione Celtiche: A cura di Antonio Sartori" [Celtic divinities from Celeia and its territory: who were the dedicators?]. Quaderni di Acme. 104. CISALPINO: Istituto Editoriale Universitario. Milano: 284–86.
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(help) - Lurker, Manfred (2004). The Routledge dictionary of gods, goddesses, devils and demons (2 ed.). London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-34018-7.
- MacCulloch, J. A. (1911). The Religion of the Ancient Celts. Edinburgh: Clark. ISBN 9780524009307.
- Mees, Bernard (2009). Celtic Curses. Boydell. ISBN 9781843834571.
- Murley, Joseph Clyde (1922). The Cults of Cisalpine Gaul as Seen in the Inscriptions. The Collegiate Press.
- Nicholson, Edward Williams Byron (1904). Keltic researches: Studies in the History and Distribution of the Ancient Goidelic Language and Peoples. Oxford UP.
- Olivares Olivares Pedreño, Juan Carlos (2005). "Celtic Gods of the Iberian Peninsula". E-Keltoi: Journal of Interdisciplinary Celtic Studies. 6: 607–649.
- Rankin, David (1998). Celts and the classical world. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-15090-6.
- Roymans, Nico; Derks, Ton, eds. (2009). Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity: The Role of Power and Tradition. Amsterdam: Amsterdam UP. ISBN 978-90-8964-078-9.
- Williams, Mark Andrew (2016). Ireland's Immortals: A History of the Gods of Irish Myth. Princeton UP. ISBN 9780691157313.