Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Norse Mythology, Celtic Mythology and Roman Mythology by Matt Clayton

Author:Matt Clayton [Clayton, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mythology
ISBN: 9781981184927
Google: 83z3swEACAAJ
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2017-11-26T00:35:55+00:00

Chapter 2 — Universal Celtic Gods

Boudicca wiped her upper lip with the back of her hand. Exertion and the hot, summer day had her sweating profusely. She lightly touched the gold torc wrapped around her neck — a symbol of royal authority amongst her people. The rigid neck ring was intricately decorated with symbols representing the spirits. On the front of her torc, where the two ends met, one end was embossed with the tiny image of three women — the máthair or matronae. The other end had embossed a tiny image of Epona, the horse goddess, and goddess of fertility.

As a middle-aged woman of noble birth, she might not otherwise have been leading a hundred thousand of her own people, the Iceni, along with the Trinovantes and others.

But here she was, fighting to restore the birthright of her two daughters who had been cheated by the patriarchal Romans and their laws that said women could not inherit.

She had already killed thousands of them at Camulodunum, at a place that would one day be called Colchester. Now, she and her men were heading toward the relatively new settlement of Londinium — what would one day become known as London. Now, they had happened upon a patrol of Roman soldiers.

She looked back as she heard the others approach. The old man was Haerviu — a little too old to live up to his name of “battle worthy.” It was doubtful that he would survive the coming fight.

Lugubelenus was a brash young man who had already made several advances against one of her daughters, and fancied himself to be a leader, apparently trying to live up to his own name.

Teutorigos was the last to arrive. His name meant “ruler of the people,” and he had great potential for that, but lacked any interest in such things.

“By Epona,” she whispered loudly. “You’re all late. The Romans are starting to leave.”

“Perhaps we should let them,” replied Teutorigos quietly. “Do we really want to fight with them, here?”

“They keep offending the gods,” said Haerviu. “building their roads and monstrous structures in the middle of sacred places. Besides, they are thieves who cheated the two princesses out of their inheritance.”

“Yes, well, the gods should be able to take care of such assaults on their own.” Lugubelenus, glanced at Boudicca and lifted his chin a bit.

“This is not the time for discussion,” replied Boudicca. “Yes, they keep doing those things, but this is about them not honoring their commitment to my late husband and to our tradition that allows women — my daughters, damn it! — to receive their inheritance.”

“May Cernunnos guide us,” said Haerviu. “We don’t do these things for our own selfish needs, but for the greater good of the natural world, of which we are a part.”

“Well said, Haerviu,” replied Boudicca. “May the three mothers protect us in what we are about to do.”

“But when do we attack?” asked Teutorigos.

Boudicca flashed him a wily grin. “Now!”

Characters and Name Meanings

Boudicca (female name meaning “victory” in ancient Celtic).

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