Eogan mac Durthacht

Eogan mac Durthacht [ 'eoɣan mak' durθaxt ] is the name of a legendary figure from the Ulster cycle of Celtic mythology in Ireland .

mythology

In the story Longas mac nUislenn ("The Exile of the Sons of Uislius") Eogan mac Durthacht is King of Fernmag (Farney in County Monaghan ) and first an enemy, but later a vassal of King Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster . When, tempted by Conchobar's promises, the refugees Deirdre , Naoise and his brothers Ardán and Ainnle return to Ulster, Eogan is given the task of setting up an ambush near the royal seat of Emain Macha . Since he is not up to the common indomitable brothers in open battle, he attacks them from behind with his people and pierces Naoise with the spear. Many warriors, including the other two brothers, are killed in a bloody slaughter, Deirdre is captured and Conchobar is extradited. However, since she steadfastly refuses to marry him and calls him and Eogan the two men she hates most, Conchobar, out of revenge, orders her to be left to her lover's murderer: "You should live with Eogan for a year!" Deirdre commits suicide while driving the chariot, leaving Eogan empty-handed.

See also

• List of Celtic gods and legendary figures
• Myths and legends from Ireland

literature

• Ingeborg Clarus : Celtic Myths. Man and his otherworld. Walter, Düsseldorf et al. 1991, ISBN 3-530-70014-2 , pp. 290 ff. (2nd edition. Patmos, Düsseldorf 2003, ISBN 3-491-69109-5 ).
• Bernhard Maier : Lexicon of Celtic Religion and Culture (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 466). Kröner, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-520-46601-5 .

Individual evidence

1. ^ Ingeborg Clarus: Celtic myths. Man and his otherworld. P. 116.