The Cuchulainn Cycle CT042

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Chapter 7: The Cúchulainn Cycle

by

J. A. MacCulloch

The story of the mighty hero, Cuchulainn, Queen Medb and the Cattle-Raid of Cooley.

 

Names Used in this Section

Conchobar

Book of the Dun Cow

Book of Leinster

Táin bó Cuailgne

Dechtire

Ailill and Medb

Fergus, Conall Cernach

Cúroi, Deirdre, and the sons of Usnach

día talmaide

Cathbad

Nessa

Lug

Sualtaim

Emania

Emer, daughter of Forgall

Donall in Alba

Dornolla

Scathach

Aife

Conla

Sohrab and Rustum

Theseus and Hippolytus

Westermarck

Macha

Findbennach

Brown Bull of Cuailgne

Ferdia

Morrigan

Calatin

Niamh

Lugaid

King Loegaire

Devorgilla

Enbarr

ingen rig richis garta

M. D'Arbois

Conall Cernach

smérthain, Smertullos

Kervadel

Tarvos Trigaranos

Trèves

Badb

Setantii

Setanta (Setantios)

Menapii and Brigantes

Dond tarb

Garbh mac Stairn

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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Gods of the Brythons CT041

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Chapter 6: The Gods of the Brythons

by

J. A. MacCulloch

In this chapter, J A McCulloch looks at the nature and origin of the Welsh, Brythonic Gods as seen mainly in the Mabinogion.

 

Names Used in this Section

Taliesin

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Britonum

Professor Anwyl

Dyfed and Gwent

Anglesey

Gwynedd

Pryderi, Branwen, and Gwydion

Kulhwych

Dôn

Llyr

Branwen

Matholwych

Evnissyen

Bran

Caswallyn, son of Beli

Rhiannon

Manawyddan

Llwyt

Gwawl

Nissyen

Penardim

Eurosswyd

Llyr Marini

Cordelia

Lludd Llawereint

Creiddylad

Alloid

Nodons

Black Book of Caermarthen

Y Werydd

M. Loth

Manannan

Diarmaid

Bendigeit Vran

Urdawl Ben

Cernunnos

Uthr Ben

Urien, Bran, and Uthr

Yama

Brennus

Belinus

Lludd and Caswallawn

Caradawc

Prydein

Mr. Nutt

Brangwaine

Tristram

Ynys Bronwen

Gwydion, Gilvæthwy, Amæthon, Govannon, and Arianrhod

Dylan and Llew

Tuatha Déa

Govannon (= Goibniu)

Llew (= Lug)

Gwydion

Gilvæthwy

Goewin

Arawn, king of Annwfn

Llew Llaw Gyffes

Blodeuwedd

Gronw

Math Hen

Gweir

Amæthon

amæth

Battle of Godeu

Dr. Skene

Lám fada

Curoi's wife, Blathnat

ruddroawc

Govannon and Gavida (Goibniu)

Dylan Eil Ton

Eil Mor

Havgan

Teyrnon

Gwri

Rigantona

Tigernonos

Pen Annwfn

Dream of Maxen

Lludd, Caswallawn, Nynnyaw, and Llevelys

Cassivellaunus

Gweirydd

Lodens Lamargentios

Caer Ludd (London)

Glastonbury Tor

Hanes Taliesin

Tegid Voel

Creirwy, Morvran, Avagddu

Morvran

Porcus Troit (the Twrch Trwyth)

Igerna

Dream of Rhonabwy

March, son of Meirchion

Merlin, or Myrddin

Viviane

Kei

Gwenhyvar (Guinevere)

Mabon

Nantlle

Brigantia, Brigit; Belisama

Camulos

Belatucadros, Cocidius, Corotiacus, Barrex, and Totatis

Anextiomarus

Arvalus, Mogons

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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Tuatha De Danaan CT040

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Chapter 5: The Tuatha Dé Danann

by

J. A. MacCulloch

In this chapter, J A McCulloch looks at the nature and origin of the Gods of the Tuatha De Danaan, the tribes or folk of the Goddess Danu.

 

Names Used in this Section

Tuatha Dé Danann

Danu

Fir Dea

Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharbar

fir tri ndea

Dôn

Cúchulainn

Fionn

Fomorians and Milesian

Dagda

Flann Manistrech

Gilla Coemain

Bodb Dearg

Manannan

Eochaid O'Flynn

dei terreni or síde

King Loegaire

Dr. Joyce and O'Curry

Mesca Ulad

Fand and Liban, and Labraid

Connla

Mider

Cenn Cruaich

Penn Cruc, Pennocrucium

Egyptian Neith, Semitic Ishtar

Anu

mater deorum hibernensium

Black Annis' Bower

Demeter and Persephone

Professor Rhys

Anoniredi

Vaucluse

Buanann

Brigit

Minerva Belisama and Brigindo

Dea Brigantia

Brigantes

Kildare

Cleena and Vera

Clota, the Clutoida

Dirra, Dirona

Aine

Knockainy in Limerick

Eogabal

Oilill Olomm and Ferchus

Aillén, Eogabal's son

Morrigan, Neman, and Macha

Badb

Badbcatha

Cathubodua

Haute-Savoie

Boduogenos

Fomorian Tethra

Nét

Neton

Mag-tured

Dr. Stokes

Adamnan

Boudicca

bangaisgedaig, banfeinnidi

Romano-British inscription at Benwell to the Lamiis Tribus

Keres

Matres

Arm, Danu, and Buanan

Battle of Ventry

Conncrithir

Be find

Eriu, Banba, and Fotla

tri dee Donand

M. D'Arbois

MacCuill, MacCecht, and MacGrainne

Dagda, Lug, and Ogma

Cian

The Children of Tuirenn

ogham

Babylonian Marduk

Ogmíos, Herakles

grianainech

Goibniu, Goba

Hephaistos

Soma, Haoma

Creidne

Luchtine

Diancecht

Miach, Airmed

Grannos

Cóir Anmann

Cera

Ruad-rofhessa

Eochaid Ollathair

Oengus

Elemar

Dr. MacBain

Dispater

Cromm Cruaich

Vallancey

Crom-eocha

Crom Dubh

Boand (the Boyne)

Cethlenn

Conaire

Mac Ind Oc

Tammuz and Adonis

Etain

Fuamnach

grianan

Diarmaid

Bri Léith

Isle of Falga, Isle of Man

Bláthnat

Aitherne

Medros

Nuada Argetlám, Sreng

Açvins, Vispala

Llûd Llawereint

Creidylad

Gwythur

Gwyn

Nodons

Nechtan

Nudd Hael

Ler

The Children of Lir

Llyr, Shakespeare, King Lear

Manannan mac Lir

Orbsen, son of Allot

Cóir Anmann

Agallamh na Senorach

Manawyddan

King Fiachna

Mongan

Barintus

Enbarr

Lug

Ethne

MacIneely

Gavida

Tara

samildánach

Irish Louth (Lug-magh) and in British Lugu-vallum

Lugudunum (Lyons), Lugudiacus, and Lugselva

Lugudunum Convenarum

Uxama

O'Davoren

Lugnasad

Lleu

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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Irish Mythological Cycle CT039

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Chapter 4: The Irish Mythological Cycle

by

J. A. MacCulloch

A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religion.

 

Names Used in this Section

Tuatha Dé Danann

Cúchulainn

Fians

Fionn

Bishop Carsewell

Banba

Tuath Inba

Cessair

Ladru

laimh-dhia

Finntain

Tuan mac Caraill

St. Finnen

Keating

Partholan

Fomorians

Cichol Gricenchos

Mag Itha

Nennius

Nemed

Tory Island

Samhain

Milesians

Firbolgs

Fir-Domnann, Galioin

Ailill

Medb

Beltane

Magtured

Nuada

Bres

Elatha

Eri

Theocritus

Mayo, Sligo

Ishtar, Adonis, Persephone, and Osiris

Indech

Ogma

Balor

Lug

Mile, son of Bile

Ith

Amairgen

muir

Professor Rhys

foawr, famhair

Dr. MacBain

Dr. Stokes

Zimmer, D'Arbois

Cromm Cruaich

Nét

Badb

Nemaind

Brigit

Ruadan

Indech, son of Déa Domnu

Cethlenn

Tethra

Kronos

Dôn

Dagda

Fian Caoilte

Daoine-sidhe

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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The Gods of Gaul CT038

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Chapter 3: The Gods of Gaul and the Continental Celts

by

J. A. MacCulloch

A discussion of the innumerable Gods of Gaul and the influence of the Roman gods on the continental deities.

 

Names Used in this Section

Apollo

Juppiter

Minerva

Dispater

Jupiter Taranis

Apollo Grannus

Augustus

Lares

Belenos Augustus

Holder's Altceltischer Sprachschatz

Anwyl

Allobrogi

Pliny

Arverni

Puy de Dôme

Artaios

Mercurius Cultor at Wurtemberg

Moccus

Cimiacinus

Ogmíos

Lucian

Dumias

Borvo, Bormo, or Bormanus

Ausonius

Belinuntia

Maponos

Bonus Puer

Mogons or Mogounos

Diodorus

Boreads

Caturix

Belatu-Cadros

Albiorix

Rigisamus

Toutatis, Totatis, and Tutatis

Seckau, York, and Old Carlisle

Professor Rhŷs

Taranis

Neton

Camulos

Cumal

Fionn

Braciaca

Cernunnos

Esus or Silvanus

Taranoos and Taranucnos

Sucellos

Kulhwych

Mycenæans

Neter

Alexandrian Serapis

Nantosvelta

M. D'Arbois

Balor

Autun

Vandoeuvres

Reims

Saintes

Beaune

Dennevy

Malmaison

M. Mowat

Bran

Janus

Smertullos

Silvanus

Salzbach

Aeracura

Ober-Seebach

Tarvos Trigaranos

M. Reinach

Cúchulainn

garanus

trikeras

trikarenos

Esugenos

Poeninus

Vosges mountains, Vosegus

Dii Casses

Cassiterides

Dea Bibracte, Nemausus, and Vasio

Bibracte, Nimes, and Vaison

Belisama

Nemetona

Cathubodua, Badb-catha

Andrasta

Andarta of the Voconces

Boudicca

Bellona of the Scordisci

Camma

Cæsarius of Arles

Stanna

Perigueux

Vesunna and Aventia, Vesona and Avanche

Seine, Sequana

Bormo, Bormana, Damona

Dea Brixia was the consort of Luxovius, Luxeuil

Clota, Clyde

Sabrina, Severn

Icauna was goddess of the Yonne

Sinnan of the Shannon

Deoe Matres

Berecynthia

Hathors in Egypt, the Moirai, Gorgons, and Graiæ of Greece, the Roman Fates, and the Norse Nornæ

Juno with Clivana

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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The Celtic People CT037

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Chapter 2: The Celtic People

by

J. A. MacCulloch

A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religion.

 

 

Names Used in this Section

Celtæ

Auvergnats

Lozère

Jura

Professor Sergi

Professor Keane

Belgæ

Broca

Aquitani

Strabo

Galli

Po

Elbe

Rhine

Italiotes

Kymri

Walloons

Grenelle

Sclaigneaux & Borreby

Dr. Beddoe

Dr. Thurnam

Professor Ripley

Wanderjahre

Aremorici

Arecluta

athair, ayr iasg

pater, piscis

caora - kaperax

uper

fairguni

percunion

Ercunio, the Hercynian forest

Epidii - epos ech equus

Parisii - Qarisii

Pictones, Pictavi of Poictiers - pictos, picti - quicto

Sequana, seine

Professor Rhŷs

Mr. Nicholson

Professor Windisch

Dr. Stokes

Professor Meyer

Dr. MacBain

Cassiterides

Qretanis - Pretanis

Ynys Pridain

Pretanikaí Iísoi

Cruithne = Qritani = Pretani

Pictavi - Picti, quicto, cicht

Eumenius

Caledonii

Peanfahel

St. Columba

Scotti

Rhine, the Elbe, and the Danube

Hyperboreans

Ripœan mountains

Boreas

Hecatæus

Galatæ

Galli

dunon

Magos

devos

Livy

Timagenes

king Ambicatus

Bellovesus

Segovesus

Bituriges

Celticum

Ambicatus

Arverni

Aedui

Suessiones

Boii

Insubri

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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Who was J. A. MacCulloch?

John Arnott MacCulloch, a Scotsman, was born in 1868 and died in 1950. He was one of Scotland's most famous Celtic Scholars and folklore researchers and he published The Religion of the Ancient Celts in 1911 and his lengthier The Mythology of All Races (in thirteen volumes, published in 1918). 

According to Chebucto Community Net, he wrote The Religion of the Ancient Celts  during a long residence in the Isle of Skye, a place MacCulloch claimed to be "easier to attempt the ancient religion than in a busier or more prosaic place" because it "is where the old language of the people still survives, and where the genius loci speaks everywhere of things remote and strange." 

MacCulloch's book became an instant classic as it was one of the first to attempt to rebuild Celtic paganism and postulate its inner spirit. MacCulloch portrays the Celt as a seeker after God, linking himself by strong ties to the unseen and eager to conquer the unknown by religious rite and magic art. The earliest aspect of the Celtic religion, MacCulloch believed, was the cult of nature spirits and of life manifested in nature. 

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Introductory CT036

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

Ch. 1: Introductory

by

J. A. MacCulloch

A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religion.

 

Names Used in this Section

Mabinogion

equites

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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Preface

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)

The Preface

by

J. A. MacCulloch

A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religion.

A Druid

 

Names Used in this Section

M. Gaidoz

M. Bertrand

D'Arbois de Jubainville

Dr. Windisch

Dr. Stokes

Sir John Rhŷs

Hibbert Lectures

M. Salomon Reinach

M. Dottin

Professor Anwyl

Miss Turner and Miss Annie Gilchrist

 

Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.

You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.

Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.

Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte.  You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.

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Religion of the Ancient Celts

The votes are in and have been counted and by an overwhelming majority, our next book will be Religion of the Ancient Celts by J. A. MacCulloch. 

This book is one of the best scholarly treatments of the ancient Celtic religion. Written early in the 20th Century, Religion of the Ancient Celts includes extensive treatment of that perennially fascinating subject, the Druids.

There is very little documentary evidence to go on. In particular, we have no actual sacred texts of the ancient Celts, as their texts were transmitted orally only to initiates, and disappeared forever when the last Druid died. Christianity became the dominant religion in the Celtic area before the oral traditions could become written down, unlike the Vedas in India. Ancient Celtic religious beliefs must therefore be inferred from second-hand classical accounts, hints from Celtic mythology, legend and folklore, as well as archaeological and comparative anthropological evidence. MacCulloch marshals this body of evidence, extensively footnoted, so that an authoritative and clear view of ancient Celtic religion emerges.

MacCullough details the Celtic belief in reincarnation and a spectral otherworld; documents the enormous pantheon of now-obscure gods and goddesses, including many local deities; and describes totemistic and animistic beliefs. In addition, MacCulloch does not flinch (nor sensationalize) when describing the darker side of Celtic practices, including the famous 'Burning Man' human sacrifices, cannibalism and exogamous incest.

With so much spurious, flawed and poorly cited information floating around on the Internet about Celtic beliefs, it is important to review what is actually known about this subject.

 

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