Latis
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In ancient Celtic polytheism, Latis is the name of two Celtic deities worshipped in Roman Britain. One is a goddess (Dea Latis), the other a god (Deus Latis), and they are both known from a single inscription each.
[edit] Dea Latis
The dedication to Dea Latis was found at Birdoswald Roman Fort in Cumbria, England, in 1873. It reads simply:
- DIE LATI
- "For the goddess Latis"[1]
The E is written as a ||. The stone is now in the Carlisle Museum.
She is known as the goddess of water and beer. [2] She may have been associated with the nearby rivers.[3]
[edit] Deus Latis
The dedication to Deus Latis, recovered on an altar-stone at Burgh-by-Sands (also in Cumbria) reads:
- DEO LATI LVCIVS VRSEI
- "To the god Latis, Lucius Ursei [dedicates this]."[4]
The altar-stone to Deus Latis was found near an image of a horned god named Belatucadros.
[edit] Etymology
The name 'Latis' may conceivably be related to the Proto-Celtic words *lati- meaning 'liquor', *lat- 'day', or *lāto- 'lust'.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P. (1965) The Roman Inscriptions of Britain (RIB) Vol.I Inscriptions on Stone. Oxford. RIB 1897, online at www.roman-britain.org
- ^ http://folkloreandmyth.netfirms.com/gods_goddesses.html
- ^ Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, Miranda J. Green, Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, 1997
- ^ Ibid. RIB 2043, online at www.roman-britain.org
- ^ Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales. "Proto-Celtic—English lexicon." (See also this page for background and disclaimers.)
- ABALLAVA museum, Burgh by Sands, Cumbria, England.
