BCM - Gods and Goddesses of British and Celtic Mythology Lesson

Gods and Goddesses of British and Celtic Mythology

The dividing line between British and Celtic is faint. The gods and goddesses form a group that encompasses British gods and goddesses, Roman-Celtic gods and goddesses, and some Celtic, and even Greek/Roman gods and goddesses.

In British/Celtic mythology, several gods and goddesses are named as a "god/goddess" of some aspect, indicating that there are more gods and goddesses holding that characteristic. Depending on the area, religion, or culture, many names can represent one god, or there could be several gods/goddesses representing one trait. For instance, there may be many gods of war or gods of the sun. Take a look at this short list of some of the gods and goddesses in the chart below. Take a look online to find more.

Name	Description	Origin
Agrona	goddess of battle and slaughter	British
Andrasta	goddess of war	Romano-Celtic
Arnemetia	Water goddess	Romano-Celtic
Belatucadnos	god of war	British
Cocidius	goddess of hunting	Celtic-British
Maponus	god of music and poetry	Roman-Celtic
Nodons	god of healing	British (Romano-Celtic)
Lugus	god of creation and learning	Celtic
Taranis	god of thunder	Celtic
Epona	goddess of fertility	Celtic

Heroes of British and Celtic Mythology

As in all mythologies, British and Celtic mythology contains stories of powerful heroes. These heroes often have a sort of divine power, one that is said to be from the gods. Read the stories below of Beowulf and Cuchulain.

Reading Assignment: Beowulf

In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, comes to the help of Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall (Heorot) has been under attack by a being known as Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland in Sweden and later becomes king of the Geats. After a period of fifty years has passed, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is fatally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants bury him in a tumulus in Geatland.

Click here to read Bullfinch about Beowulf Links to an external site.

Reading Assignment: Cuchulain

Click play on the sound file below to hear the pronunciation of "Cuchulain."

Cuchulain (Cú Chulainn or Cúchulainn) is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore. The son of the god Lug and Deichtine (sister of Conchobar mac Nessa), his childhood name was Sétanta.

He gained his better-known name as a child after he killed Culann's fierce guard-dog in self-defense, and offered to take its place until a replacement could be reared. At the age of seventeen he defended Ulster single-handedly against the armies of queen Medb of Connacht in the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge ("Cattle Raid of Cooley"). It was prophesied that his great deeds would give him everlasting fame, but that his life would be a short one. This is the reason why he is compared to the Greek hero Achilles.

Click here to read Bullfinch about Cuchulain Links to an external site.

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