Epona

Epona, rarely also called Epana, is a Celtic goddess of fertility and the Roman goddess of horses. The name derives from the ancient Celtic * epos, Irish ech: from (both "horse" ). It bears inscriptions on several occasions the title regani.

Dissemination and mythology

The worship of Epona was at the time of the Celts and Gallo - Romans in ancient times to late antiquity throughout the Celtic world ( Celticum ) spread, which is witnessed by around 60 dedications. Epona was often shown with horses, often with a tray, fruit or a cornucopia, suggesting an additional function as a fertility goddess. In northern Italy, it is placed in an inscription with the kalendae ( first month ) of Januarius (January) in conjunction.

The Roman troops took Epona goddess of horses and the cavalry, where she was worshiped not only as a protective goddess of the cavalry, but also the motorman. In late antiquity, the Feast of Epona in the vicinity of Mantua was committed on December 18. According to with Juvenal ( Satires 8.155-157 ) and Apuleius ( Metamorphoses 3,27,2 ) were worshiped in small shrines in stables figures of the goddess. Juvenal ridicules the Roman nobility, because they like horses at Epona servants who would swear " piece on smelly barn walls "; Apuleius mentions the rose as decoration of the cult images. Minucius Felix ( Octavius ​​28.7 ) also called decorated with roses, horses and donkeys, Epona would sometimes sacrificed in honor. Also in Tertullian ( Apologeticum 16.3; Ad nationes 1.11 ) the goddess is called.

As a mother - goddess and the country it is seen in its function as Nothelferin; in insular Celtic area it is compared with Rhiannon. Plutarch ( mor 312E ) procreation Epona by the union of a misogynist ( woman -hating ) Roman named Fulvius Stella is explained with a mare.