Rudianus

Rudianus , also Rudianos , is the name of a war deity in Celtic mythology who was worshiped in southern Gaul .

Mythology and Etymology

Rudianus is mentioned in a total of four inscriptions. Two of them come from the Drôme department , namely from St. Etienne and St. Génis, the other two from St. Michel de Valbonne in the Var department . A menhir-like , roughly hewn stone was also found here, showing the relief of a mounted god of war. The figure has an oversized head and rides over five severed heads ( têtes coupées ). The work is said to be for the 6th century BC. Dated. This sculpture is believed to be a Rudianus who is identified here with Mars (mythology) according to the Interpretatio Romana .

The name Rudianus can be associated with the old Irish word rúad and the Kymrian rhudd (both mean “red”). This emphasizes its warlike function and the human sacrifices associated with the cult.

See also

• List of Celtic gods and legendary figures
• Celtic religion

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 .
• Miranda J. Green: Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. Thames and Hudson, London 1997, ISBN 0-500-27975-6 .
• 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. ↑ 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 ; Pp. 647, 804.