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
editThe dedication to Dea Latis was found at Birdoswald Roman Fort in Cumbria, England, in 1873. It reads simply:
DIE LATI For the goddess Latis.[1]
The E is written as a ||. The stone is now in the Carlisle Museum.
She may have been associated with the nearby rivers.[2]
Deus Latis
editThe dedication to Deus Latis, recovered on an altar-stone at the Roman fort of Aballava, Burgh-by-Sands (also in Cumbria) reads:
DEO LATI LVCIVS VRSEI To the god Latis, Lucius Ursei [dedicates this].[1]
The altar-stone to Deus Latis was found near an image of a horned god and another dedication to the god Belatucadros.
Etymology
editThe name 'Latis' may conceivably be related to the Proto-Celtic words *lati- meaning 'liquor', *lat- 'day', or *lāto- 'lust'.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P. (1965) The Roman Inscriptions of Britain (RIB) Vol.I Inscriptions on Stone. Oxford. RIB 1897, online at www.roman-britain.org
- ^ Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, Miranda J. Green, Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, 1997
- ^ Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales. "Proto-Celtic—English lexicon." (See also this page for background and disclaimers.)
Further reading
edit- ABALLAVA museum, Burgh by Sands, Cumbria, England.