Beli Mawr

Beli Mawr fab Mynogan (Welsh [' beli maur va ː b mɘ'nogan ]: " Beli the Great, son of Mynogan "), even Beli Mawr vab Manogan, is a figure from Welsh legend. He is mentioned as a mythical ancestor of some Welsh noble families.

Mythology and Etymology

In the stories Breuddwyd Macsen ( " Macsens Dream" ) and Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys ( "The Story of Lludd and Llefelys " ) and in the branches of the Mabinogi it is the King of Britain, son of Mynogan and partner of Anu and the Dôn. His children include sons Afallach, Lludd or Nudd, Llefelys, Gwydyon and Caswallawn

And the daughters Penarddun and Arianrhod, his grandson Gwynn fab Nudd.

Beli Mawr is considered a legendary figure, whose name can be associated perhaps with the ancient Celtic deity Belenus. His name could mean " The Shining " as in this. He is also compared with Irish legendary figures as Balor, Dian Cecht and especially Bile. However Birkhan has expressed his doubt on these interpretations.

Geoffrey of Monmouth calls him in his Historia Brittonum Belinus filius Minocanni ( in the original version, the son of Digueillus ), but also Hely, who after a dispute with his brother Brennus took control of Gaul and Britain. He also mentions him as an opponent of Caesar in the conquest of Britain by the Romans. From a father Manogan or Mynogan is Geoffrey nothing to find.