Fergus mac Léite

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Fergus mac Léite , also Fergus mac Léte , is a famous warrior and King of Ulster in the Celtic mythology of Ireland .

Etymology and Mythology

Fergus is, according to Thurneysen, a Breton name in the Aremorica for a cultic representative of potency . It is translated as “chosen masculinity” (old Irish : * uiro-gustus , old Cymrian : gurgust ). An interesting Germanic etymon is the name of the goddess Vagda-vercustis ("fame - chosen - strength [virtus]").

It is traditionally said of Fergus mac Léite that his penis is seven man's fists long.

In the story Caithréim Conghail Cláiringhnigh ("The war successes of Congal Cláiringnech") Fergus is mentioned as king of South Ulster, Congal as his opponent in the northern half. In a long battle between the two rivals, Congal eventually became High King of Ireland and Fergus remained King of all of Ulster.

In the Echtra Fergusa maic Léte ( old Irish: "The adventure of Fergus mac Léte") it is reported that Fergus has the geis (taboo) never to be allowed to step into the water of Lough Rudhraighe . When he does, driven by some lúchorpáin ( leprechauns ), he encounters a sea monster ( old Irish: muirdris ) that can contract and inflate again in a flash. Fergus is so shocked by this that his face contorts and stays that way. Although he should therefore no longer rule as king, the Ulter leave him in his position. He later returns to Lough Rudhraighe, kills the monster, but dies in the process.

See also

literature

  • Helmut Birkhan : Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Rudolf Thurneysen: All sorts of Celtic things. In: Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie 18/1930, p. 108.
  2. Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 , p. 574.
  3. a b Patrick M. MacSweeney (translator and editor): Caithréim Conghail Cláiringhnigh , Irish Texts Society Vol. V, 1904.
  4. Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 , p. 744.