Camulus
- For the character in the science fiction series Stargate SG-1, see Camulus (Stargate).
- For the comic book of this name by Jorge Blanco and Pablo Garcia, see Camulus comics by EFX Studio.
In the ancient Celtic pantheon, Camulus or Camulos was a theonym for a god whom the Romans equated with Mars by interpretatio romana.[1] He was an important god of early Britain and Gaul, especially among the Belgae and the Remi,[1] a Gaulish tribe who lived in the area of modern Belgium.
Camulus is named in combination with Mars in five inscriptions coming from Rheims,[2] Arlon,[3] Rindern,[4] Mainz,[5] and Bar Hill, Scotland.[6] The name Camulos appears independently in one votive inscription from Rome.[7]
At Rindern, Germany, Mars Camulos appears on a stone with a corona of oak.[1] Elsewhere he was portrayed with a ram-horned head.[1] Evidence of his popularity can be seen in several place-names notably Camulodunum.[1] Attempts to link him with the nursery character Old King Cole and Fionn's father Cumhall have been rejected by contemporary scholars.[1]
The town Camulodunum (now Colchester) in Essex may have been named after him, and is the possible basis for the legendary city Camelot.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f "Camulus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford University Press, 1998, 2004.
- ^ ILTG 351. Inscriptions as cited by Bernhard Maier, Dictionary of Celtic Religion and Culture (Boydell & Brewer, 1997, originally published in German 1994), p. 57.
- ^ CIL 13.3980.
- ^ CIL 13.8701.
- ^ CIL 13.11818.
- ^ RIV 2166.
- ^ CIL 6.3.
- ^ Arthur Cotterell (1997). The Encyclopedia of Mythology: Classical, Celtic, Norse. Anness Publishing Ltd.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
This article relating to a Celtic myth or legend is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
