Rudianos

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

Mythology and Etymology

Rudianus is called in four inscriptions. Two of them are from the Drome region, namely from St. Etienne and from St. Génis, the other from St. Michel de Valbonne in the Var department two. Here also a menhirartiger, roughly hewn stone was found, showing the relief of a mounted warrior god. The figure has an oversized head and rides across five severed heads ( têtes coupées ). The work is dated to the 6th century BC. This plastic is considered a Rudianus, the here after the interpretatio romana with Mars ( mythology) is identified.

The name is Rudianus ruad with the Old Irish word and the Cymric rhudd ( both mean "red") to get in touch. So that his military function and associated with the cult of human sacrifice are emphasized.