Belenus

In Celtic mythology, Belenus (also Belinus, Belenos, Belinos, Belinu, Belanu, Bellinus, Belus, Bel) was a deity worshipped in Gaul, Britain and Celtic areas of Italy, Austria and northern Spain. He had shrines from Aquileia on the Adriatic to Kirkby Lonsdale in England. His name means "shining one" or "henbane god" and he is associated with heat and healing. He may be the same deity as Belatu-Cadros. In the Roman period he was identified with Apollo. His consort was Belisama. His name has been found on around fifty inscriptions. These are mainly concentrated in Aquileia and Cisalpine Gaul, but also extend into Gallia Narbonensis, Noricum, and far beyond.

Romano-Celtic Apollo

In ancient Gaul and Britain, Apollo may have been equated with fifteen or more different Celtic names and epithets (notably Grannos, Borvo, Maponus, Moritasgus and others). The solar or healing implications of Belenus (“the brilliant one” or “henbane god”) would have encouraged syncretism with the god Apollo.

Other proposed identifications

The Welsh ancestor-deity Beli may be derived from Belenus, although his character and attributes are different. The Irish festival of Beltaine may also be connected, or may derive from the same Celtic root, bel-, "shining". The Irish mythical figure Bile ("sacred tree") is sometimes linked with Belenus, but neither the linguistics nor the myths match. 19th century attempts to link him with the Semitic deity Baal were even more tenuous and are now rejected. The legendary king Belinus in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain is probably also derived from this god. The name of the ancient British king Cunobelinus means "hound of Belenus".

References