Latis
__NOTOC__
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.
Dea Latis
The dedication to Dea Latis was found at Birdoswald Roman Fort in Cumbria, England, in 1873. It reads simply:
{{blockquote|DIE LATI
For the goddess Latis.Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P. (1965) The Roman Inscriptions of Britain (RIB) Vol.I Inscriptions on Stone. Oxford. [http://www.roman-britain.org/places/banna.htm#rib1897 RIB 1897, online at www.roman-britain.org]}}
The E is written as a ||. The stone is now in the Carlisle Museum.
She may have been associated with the nearby rivers.Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, Miranda J. Green, Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, 1997
Deus Latis
The dedication to Deus Latis, recovered on an altar-stone at the Roman fort of Aballava, Burgh-by-Sands (also in Cumbria) reads:
{{blockquote|DEO LATI LVCIVS VRSEI
To the god Latis, Lucius Ursei [dedicates this].}}
The altar-stone to Deus Latis was found near an image of a horned god and another dedication to the god Belatucadros.
Etymology
The name 'Latis' may conceivably be related to the Proto-Celtic words *lati- meaning 'liquor', *lat- 'day', or *lāto- 'lust'.Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales. "[http://www.wales.ac.uk/documents/external/cawcs/pcl-moe.pdf Proto-Celtic—English lexicon]." (See also [http://www.wales.ac.uk/newpages/EXTERNAL/E4504.asp this page] for background and disclaimers.)
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- ABALLAVA museum, Burgh by Sands, Cumbria, England.
{{Celtic mythology (ancient)}}
Category:Gods of the ancient Britons