Celtic Religion & Mythology

Celtic 131 Celtic Civilization I

Celtic Religion & Mythology
I Interpretatio Romana
II Local/Tribal Gods & Votive Offerings
III Druids
A. Caesars Description
B. Calendar of Coligny
C. Lindow Man
IV Celtic Gods
A. Polytheistic
B. Nature of Gods & Otherworld
C. Some Celtic Gods
D. Gundestrup Cauldron
I Interpretatio Romana

Thieves Beware! The Goddess

Sulis Minerva is on your case!
I Interpretatio Romana
II Local/Tribal Gods & Votive Offerings
 e.g. the source of the Seine, 190 pieces of woodcarvings
dating ca. 1st cent. AD & more than 20 complete statues
 e.g. Battersea Shield, River Thames
 III Druids
A. Caesars Description
 III Druids
B. Calendar of Coligny
 III Druids
C. Lindow Man
 III Druids
C. Lindow Man contd
 IV Celtic Gods
C. Some Celtic Gods
Cernunnos the
horned one, Gaulish
Lord of the
animals, god of the
hunt perhaps
Almost always
cross legged
Attributes horns,
torc (around
neck/in hand), &
serpent
 IV Celtic Gods
C. Some Celtic Gods contd

Taranis the thunderer,

Gaulish
Depicted with
wheel/spiral
Vulcan the divine smith,
Roman/Gaulish (Goibniu
in Irish/ Gofannon in
Welsh)
iron/metal-worker,
magical properties
Teutates god of the
tribe, Gaulish
 IV Celtic Gods
C. Some Celtic Gods contd

Epona horse goddess,

Gaulish (& Roman)
Matres/Matronae
Gaulish, perhaps divine
earth-mother
Often depicted in group of
3 with images of fertility
(baskets, babies,
cornicopia)
Probably very old in origin
 IV Celtic Gods
D. Gundestrup Cauldron
 IV Celtic Gods
D. Gundestrup Cauldron contd

Cernunnos
 IV Celtic Gods
D. Gundestrup Cauldron contd

Taranis
 IV Celtic Gods
D. Gundestrup Cauldron contd

Teutates