Talk:Proto-Celtic theonyms

Note on reconstructed Celtic pantheon

Rationale

The purpose of this article is to provide a synopsis of the sources cited with regard to the intrinsic nature and the plausible Romanised Brythonic name-forms and semantics of Celtic gods and goddesses likely to have been known to and recognised by Iron Age British tribes. Much is uncertain with regard to Celtic deities.

Note on syncretism and definition

Only in instances where the cited sources assert in certitude that several names referred to the same deity, have deities been allotted more than one reconstructed name. For example, in the case of the name Rhiannon ( from *Rigantona ‘Great Queen.’ ), the Encyclopaedia Britannica maintains that the epithet was used in Welsh mythology for the Welsh manifestations of both the Gaulish Epona and the goddess Macha of Irish mythology. Otherwise, a separate name has been allotted a separate entry.

Note on orthography

In accordance with classical Roman transcriptions of Celtic names, Proto-Brythonic [*k] has been written as ‘c,’ [*j] as ‘i,’ (except in initial and intervocalic positions) and initial and intervocalic [*w] has been shown as ‘v,’ while post-consonantal [*w] has been written as ‘u.’ To denote the remnant position of a former Proto-Indo-European [**p] in the morphology of these names, ‘h’ has been used, because ‘h’ appears in some classical transcriptions of Celtic words apparently denoting this remnant, as with the toponym Hercynia, presumably from Proto-Indo-European **PérkōwnjeH2 , ‘Land of Pigs’ (cf. pork). In other respects, accepted Proto-Celtic reconstructions, including diphthongs, have been rigidly followed. Since Proto-Brythonic was a P-Celtic language, ‘p’ has been written where Proto-Celtic would have had [*kw]. In keeping with the conventions of proto-linguistics, the asterisk * denotes an unattested, reconstructed form. Here follows a reconstruction of the Iron Age British pantheon, with the head names of the deities given in their likely Proto-Brythonic form. Sincerely, GeoffMGleadall 09:59, 22 July 2005 (UTC)