Ref: http://www.bruichladdich.com/the_epidii_horsemen_of_islay_and_kintyre.htm
EXTRACT
The Epidii - Horsemen of Islay and Kintyre
Almost two thousand years ago the Romans invaded Britain in May 43 AD, with four legions and about 20,000 auxiliary troops under the command of Aulus Plautius.
Scotland as a political entity did not exist then.
Taken from information gathered in first century AD Roman expeditions, the 2nd century map of Britain by the Greek geographer and astrologer Ptolemy (writing about Agricola's famous circumnavigation of the British Isles), as well as from the Greek explorer Pytheas around 325 BC - the tribe settled in the area around Islay, Jura and Kintyre, is known as the Epidii - The Men of the Horse. This tribe is traditionally thought to be a British (Welsh) or Pictish tribe, whose name may be associated with the Celtic Horse Goddess Epona.
Convoluted references to obscure texts suggest that the Islay name MacEachern may be derived directly from the Epidii - meaning People of the Horse; This must be true because we have a Robert MacEachern working at the distillery today! Giraldus Cabriensis, writing in the 12th Century, tells of how he witnessed an Irish Kingship inauguration ritual, where the ceremony involved the future king performing some act with a horse. This act is often assumed to have been intercourse, supposedly symbolic of the mating of the King with the Goddess of Sovereignty. Anyhow, the MacEacherns certainly built a reputation as trainers and keepers of horses, and also as armourers - makers of the great Scottish broadsword we now know as the Claymore.
The Romans never really conquered Scotland - let alone Islay - getting as far north as Perth in AD 80, although their influence was probably considerable. Every now and then they would send an army north - most famously led by Agricola in AD 81 when 40,000 Romans inflicted a heavy defeat on the native tribes at Mons Graupius in AD 84 (wherever that may be - nobody really knows - possibly in Aberdeenshire). As the only serious account came from Tacitus (who was married to Agricola's daughter and therefore keen to impress his father-in-law), the great Roman generals successes against the woad-covered natives may have been exaggerated somewhat. Winning battles is all very well, but the Romans could not subdue the tribes for long and were forced to build first Hadrians Wall in AD 122 and then the Antonine Wall nineteen years later to try and exert some control. Neither worked very well as defensive structures, though they may have had some effect as customs posts. Tribes such as the Epidii would have tried to profit by sending trade goods, probably particularly black cattle, to feed the Roman towns of the south and would also have been obliged to develop trade by sea with Ireland.
The Romans eventually gave up on Scotland in AD 399. It is thought that the Epidii forged a series of alliances with the Irish tribe called the Scottii and eventually founded the ancient Kingdom of Dalraida which was centred in Argyll. They hassled the Romans continuously, as did tribes from the north plus Angles, Saxons and Jutes from the east. After the Romans left there were many years of conflict with the Pictish tribes until the final unification of Scotland by Kenneth MacAlpine.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of Invasions of Ireland)
The Book of Invasions form the major part of the Mythological Cycle. The Book of Invasions was supposed to contain the (fictional) history of Ireland Ireland
The other main source come from Cath Maige Tuired (Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Moytura)), which was mainly centred on the Tuatha Dé Danann.
The main interests come from the race of Irish deities known as the Tuatha Dé Danann. They were supplanted by the Milesians, the last group of invaders, who became the ancestors of the modern Irish people.
The other main source come from Cath Maige Tuired (Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Moytura)), which was mainly centred on the Tuatha Dé Danann.
The main interests come from the race of Irish deities known as the Tuatha Dé Danann. They were supplanted by the Milesians, the last group of invaders, who became the ancestors of the modern Irish people.
List of Woman from the Dawn of Time
EXTRACT: As written by Brent Cassidy
Adam, sole father of mankind, a being whom the God of hosts fashioned after creating the elements, was made king. A mystery was seen. He was propagated complete. After the creation of stately noble Adam a rib was taken from his side. Hence was made generous wise Eve. She was full of vivid merit without meanness.
I will recount exactly the women folk of the seed of Adam and fair Eve by teaching them clearly in lengthy verses to their descendants correctly. I will recite from them to the womenfolk (That will be a barbic work in which poetry will be diversified) relating their children and husbands in easy quatrains with elegance.
It has never fitted in poetic letters or in voluminous orations that the list of women of the populous world should be poured forth in streams of poetry. As none ever did before me quatrains shall be recited to the free-born throng. Valour in adventure has been commenorated. It will begin at Adam the sole father.
Adam, Seth, pious Sili and Cain were the four first men who propagated multitudes. Eve, Olla, Pib and Pithib (women of power in the eternal world) bore the beautiful race: prosperous before the Flood and mesirable afterwards. Eve was the only wife of mighty Adam. Olla was spouse of blameless Seth. Pib was the name of the wife of guilty Cain. She did not avoid evil. Pithib was wife of Sili of the profits. Whiter than foam was her body.
I know Catafolofia the fair wife also of Cain Crook-head. She was a cause of jealousy. Bright was the paramour; transient was the torment of the couch. Noeua cut from the ancient green-topped tree and wove the thread without deceit.
Ambia was daughter of wicked Cain from whom was yonder monstrous brood. Percoba was wife of shame-faced Noah. She was poor without murmer or complaint. Though she was mild she had power with her gentle husband. Her children were weary with lamenting her.
Olla was the blooming womanly spouse of Shem. Ham's wife was Olivan from Asia . Jafeth's consor was Olivane who did not conquer death. Her own husband slew her at the wells: a worthless woman who was quick of wit.
Belait was the brilliant daughter of Latin and wife of fair Fenias Farsaid. Nel of the infants was their son. He was father of pleasant Gaedel. The death of Belait from the sun's heat in the glen is known in poetry.
Scotta, daughter of famous Pharaoh, was wife of Nel and mother of Gaedel Glas from whom sprang the race of pure Gaels, guests from over the shapely crest of the sea, and the Scots from lovely Scotta. She was not timid or weak before her overthrow.
Cesair the blooming daughter of Beth was wife of long-lived Fintan son of Bochra, Bith and Ladru (who were no scholars) came into the heart of Ireland
The gentle womenfolk of memorable Partholon were Cichbun, Cermnat, modest Nerbgind, Iafa and Edgnat the wealthy multitude. They were not poor without a portion. The yellow-haired band, their children and their company died of plague. Cemeteries were formed from the sleeping sickness and from their tombs in the midst.
Eva, Cera, laudable Medar, gentle Macha, a lovable company like to assured peaceful rest, were the womenkind of Nemed the strong. Cera was in Connaught of the covenant and Eva in righteous Tir Caipre.
Liber, Libist, discreet Cnuha, fair Etar, Fuat (a prompt band) were five queens of the populous FIr Bolg. Their order was long remembered. From Cnucha is named the cairn (an appropriate name) on the strong mound. Fuat was the daring and acute spouse of Slane. Etar of enduring energy was with Gand. Libist (who followed not) was with Sengand, and Cnucha was consort of bright Genand. Liber, a bright champion of feasts, was wife of huge and ruddy Rudraige. The giant got possession of a third of the perfect surface by his own exploits.
I may not forget the fair women of the Tuatha De Danand: Eriu, Fotla and ardent Banba, (a famous throng. Clear voice of achievement). Three fair daughters of Fiachra, bright women of spirited speech. Fierce Eriu was Cetar's consort. Fotla's Huband, Detar, was no slacker. Etar's wife by his profitable proclamation was also named sweet Banba. [They loved Grian and Coll and Cecht because of the cairn they set above the pool]. Cermat's race were destroyed (a victorious deed) by the Milesian kings.
Nemain, Danand, Bodb and Macha, Morrigu who brings victory, impetuous and swift Etain, Be Chuilli of the north country, were the sorceresses of the Tuatha De. It is I who of them with severity.
Etgen was the good wife of defenceless Dui, father-in-law of stately Magmoir. The wife of Eochu (loud was his shout) was Tailtiu who cut down the wood, [From her is named greed-sloped Tailtiu of the prosperous united assemblies] in Caille Cuan. She cut over a hundred axes: a road for armies.
[Feada was the real name of] noble Ethne who was wife of strong stout Cain, and mother of Lug the impetuous superman, and daughter of swift smiting Balor son of Dod son of mighty Net a greater man than pleasant Hector. [From him is famed the cairn at Ath Feindead because he fought a duel].
Tlachtga, daugther of fat Mog Ruith was the mighty wife of the son of Simon of the jewels. From her, because of the martyr she slew, is named the hill of the flocks. Midir slew Fuamnach with violence. Her jealousy was cruel to herself and Etain.
Englec was the renowned daughter of Elemar. Ogniad was daughter of good Midir. Bri Bruachbrec was his other daughter who did not prepare open treachery. Pleasant Englec who did not spoil eloquence, was mother of the swift son of the Dagda.
Echtgi the loathsome (it was a spiteful story) was daughter of the noble Dagda. Boand, whose wounds spouted forht in the lands of Conn
Da Chaech was daugther of crooked Ceochuir the cunning, of the white knee of the withes. The daughter of Genand son of Trian T. was gentle Clidna of the rough painful strand. Her name is on the roaring wave called boldly after her agony.
Honour destroyed the good and great wives of the Milesians of the chequered world, for it was a perfect action which was heard reported. It is right to enumerate them quickly: [sing first the chaste spirit without which the ingenious deeds were not performed] Scotta, Scéna, hard gloony Fas, Delsairi, Tea who was no weakling, Fial wife of Lugaid the great son of Ith; all are long remembered in the land. Odba and Dil, two daughters of Mil are numbered among his seed first of all.
Herimon, Eber, noble Ir, Amargin, Colptha, stern Dond, Lugaid son of Ith son of Bregon: their honor is without reproach of diminution. From them (no deformity and bend) are the race of the heroes however remote. [from every country their complement settled down, from them descend the Gaels of the hostages].
Mighty Erimon had two spouses: Odba and Tea of Tara who was liberal [Tara was the faultless eminence, the bright fort of the rath of divisions]. Tea was mother of cold Irial the wise one of yonder numerous strong host: Irial the prophet who loathed Eber, most generous prince, a noble who was not weak. Erimon had three sons by Odba: one was Mummi, greatly respected, and two who agreed without dispute, Lugni and Lagni of the lis. The white-surfaced hillock to the south bears the name of perfect harmonious Odba.
Macha Red-mane, daughter of Aed, was nurse of Ugane of the combats, and wife of urbane Cimbaith son of Fintan: until death he never avoided a fight. It was for Emain and Ard Macha her perilous battlcs were fought, a rough exploit. She ruled uprightly for seven years. Noble Rechtaid overthrew her cleverly.
Cesair the shapely daughter of the Frankish king was consort of Ugaine of the arts, the father of daughters; Ani and Pasi and hard Muresc, a goodly treasure. Etline the Dumb of moulded body, was mother of Lorc and Cobthach Caol.
The wife of wealthy Lahraid Loingsech (the champion who burnt Cobthach - a black crime - ) was the king of Fer Morca's daughter, Moriath, whose father was Scoriath of the paddocks. She is of Leinster race from a Leinster champion. Her honour was great in the place.
The children of Fergus Gnai were Maer and Medair, wives of Etar (shameless woe). Bethech was daughter of Cremthand of Cuala who well deserved a great and high lament. [Maer was mother of Eochu mac Luchta, Medair was the nurse, judge of poets]. Fergus was the great son of Ugaine himself, of rude character and impetuosity.
Margo was the great wife of Ais son of Etar. Ais was father of Dond of the poems. Ais was father (with abundant land) of Elta of the level and eternal plain. Whence was said "Plain of Elta" when the plague slew the host.
Etain was wife of Eochu Aireman. Esa was her daughter, evil were her rites. Her name is given to a lofty spot, allied by her crimes to pollution. Mes Buachalla was Esa's daughter. By her methods mariners were coarsened.
The mother of Conaire the Great is praised: Mes Buachulla, a goodly diadem; her father's grandchild, her mother's sister, descendant of mighty and most fair Etain. [She was wife of great Concobar, son of Cathbad: gold—twisted rim of an expert blade.] Lifi, daughter of Canand Curcach; her land was raided to the pool.
Lifi was wife of dusky Deltband the steward of guileless Conaire, son of Drucht the brutish foreigner, vomited forth of the red cauldron. From Lifi is named Liffey of Leinster. Twenty weaklings incurred her wrath.
Dili, daughter of strong Lugmanrech, was the brave wife of Telchonn the stern druid. She shall be certified the daughter of the king of the men of Falga, quick to promise, brilliant in satire. The druid's rath (no grief to him to grow grey) was at the Ford of wicker-work hurdles of fair appearance.
Tuag, daughter of Connal Collomrach, was reared by Conaire in innocent wise. Fer [Hi] took her out of Tara . She was pure and of chaste behaviour. Though powerful be the roar of Tuag estuary it took it's name from the maiden who suffered.
Ruad, the royal daughter of Mane Milscoith son of Dond Desa, (her complexion was beautiful) was wife of Aed son of Labrad Lesbrecc. She was no spiteful stupid woman.
Tethba, daughter of Eochu Aireman, was the steadfast wife of Noisi [son of] noble Nechtan, [her nariie was given to the strong land of Teathfa
Croind child of Eochu Broad-chest was the wanton consort of Eochu Feidlech and mother of valiant Medb of Cruachan, (glorious, perverse, extravagant and liberal) and the great mother of the Find Emna who trod the fence of marriage underfoot, [and of Clothra their sister. She was wanton.]
Ref:
http://www.cassidyclan.org/partI_Banshenchus.htm
Fintan mac Bóchra and Cessair
from the Book of Leinster 1150 A.D.
28. The crew of three ships arrived at Dun na mRarc in the territory of Corco Daibne. Two of the ships were wrecked.
Cessair with the crew of her ship escaped, fifty women and three men: Bith s. Noe, of whom is Sliab Betha (named) - there was he buried, in the great stone-heap of Sliab Betha; Ladra the pilot, of whom is Ard Ladrand - he is the first dead man who went under the soil of Ireland; Fintan s. Bochra, of whom is "Fintan's Grave" over Tul Tuinde.
Cessair died in Cul Cessrach in Connachta, with her fifty maidens.
29. These are their names, ut Fintan cecinit (Fintan said): A just division we shared between us, myself and Bith and bold Ladra; for peace and for reason was it done, in the matter of the fifty magnificent maidens.
Seventeen women I took, including Cessair -Lot, Luam, Mall, Mar, Froechar, Femar, Faible, Foroll, Cipir, Torrian, Tamall, Tam, Abba, Alla, Baichne, Sille: that is the tale which we were there.
Seventeen Bith took, with Bairrfhind - Sella, Della, Duib, Addeos, Fotra, Traige, Nera, Buana, Tamall, Tanna, Nathra, Leos, Fodarg, Rodarg, Dos, Clos: be it heard -those were our people further.
Sixteen thereafter with Ladra: Alba, Bona, Albor, Ail, Gothiam, German, Aithne, Inde, Rodarg, Rinne, Inchor, Ain, Irrand, Espa, Sine, Samoll: that was our fair company.
None of the seed of Adam took Ireland before the Flood but those.
29. These are their names, ut Fintan cecinit (Fintan said): A just division we shared between us, myself and Bith and bold Ladra; for peace and for reason was it done, in the matter of the fifty magnificent maidens.
Seventeen women I took, including Cessair -Lot, Luam, Mall, Mar, Froechar, Femar, Faible, Foroll, Cipir, Torrian, Tamall, Tam, Abba, Alla, Baichne, Sille: that is the tale which we were there.
Seventeen Bith took, with Bairrfhind - Sella, Della, Duib, Addeos, Fotra, Traige, Nera, Buana, Tamall, Tanna, Nathra, Leos, Fodarg, Rodarg, Dos, Clos: be it heard -those were our people further.
Sixteen thereafter with Ladra: Alba, Bona, Albor, Ail, Gothiam, German, Aithne, Inde, Rodarg, Rinne, Inchor, Ain, Irrand, Espa, Sine, Samoll: that was our fair company.
None of the seed of Adam took Ireland before the Flood but those.
Celtic St. Finnen, who fasted like a Brahman, so to compel a pagan sage, Tuan MacCarell, to reveal the ancient history of Ireland Ireland
In the Celtic (Irish) account of the flood, Cessair, granddaughter of Noah, was refused a chamber for herself in the ark, and fled to the western borders of the world as advised by her idol. 4 Her fleet consisted of three ships, but two foundered before Ireland Greece
At one time, long ago, Fintan was the most famous fish in the world.
And the reason he was so famous, as any Irish storyteller will tell you, was that he didn’t used to be a fish. A long time ago, as the Lebor Gabala Erenn states, he was a man, Fintann Mac Bochra, who had traveled to Ireland
He also spent some time as a stag, and a hawk, or else the hawk was another magical hawk that was as old as he was , depending on who you ask. There had been rumors that Finn McCool had eaten him, or that he’d died after telling St. Columcille the story of Irish history (along with the hawk, or by himself). But it wasn’t true. He’d just been swimming around, passing the time. Until the wrong trawler picked him up.
In Celtic mythology, Fintan (the salmon of wisdom) was a shape-changer. He was the only Irish survivor of Noah' s flood, changing into a hawk to soar above the waters and into a salmon to live in them. He ate the gods' magic hazelnuts and received all knowledge, but was netted in a salmon- trap and cooked for the gods' banquet by Finn MacCool who in doing touched Fintan's flesh and absorbed the knowledge from Fintan turning him into a seer and healer on the spot.
In Celtic mythology, Finn MacCool was an Irish prophet, warrior and healer. He learned his skills either from touching the flesh of Fintan as he cooked him, or by sipping the gods' wine as he served them at table.
Fionntán and is found in Irish myth. Their version of the Biblical Noah’s
The druid Finegas dwelled by the Boyne where a hazel tree dropped the Nuts of Knowledge into a pool confining Fintan the Salmon of Knowledge. For years he had failed to capture the fish, until Finn became his pupil and he got lucky, and he gave him the fish to cook but not to eat. Finn burnt his finger on some hot fish-juices, and on thoughtlessly sucking it became imbued with knowledge, so Finegas told him to finish off the rest and then piss off.
According to the mythical history of Ireland , the first inhabitants of Ireland Bantry Bay in County Cork
The three men shared the women as wives between them. Six days before the Flood, Cessair died of a broken heart at Cuil Ceasrach in Connacht . The rest of Cessair's people were wiped out in the Flood, with the exception of one of the males, Fintan, who turned into a salmon. After a series of animal transformations he eventually became a man again and told his people's story.
The story of Noah’s granddaughter, Bith, and her son Fintan, is derived from Irish folk lore. Fintan, who is called the Blind One, the Salmon of Wisdom, and Goll of Assaroe is an important figure in Irish mythology. The Salmon of Wisdom is the oldest of the totem animals in Celtic mythology. It is from the Salmon that information is gained to free Mabon in the Mabinogion. Fintan’s own story is one of the transmigration of souls. He never dies but changes forms throughout history. Finally he takes the form of a man once the “age of humanity” is established after the flood
NAME Cessair
EPITHET First Goddess of Ireland
ALT Ceasair / Cesair {kes'er}
SEX F
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY deity / warrior / chieftain / filidh
TYPE earth goddess / sorcerer
CULTURE Amazon
COUNTRY Egypt (Meroë) / Ireland
REGION Kilkenny
TERRITORY Munster / Connacht
LANDMARKS Corco Duibne / Nore / Barrow / Suir
SITES Dun na mBarc / The Meeting of the Three Waters /
Cul Cessrach
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 21st c
RELATIVES Bith (father); Saball (foster-father); Ladra and
(uncle)
SEE ALSO Bairrfind / Banba / Fintan mac Bochra / Iafeth /
Ladra
REMARKS
Cessair, daughter of Bith, had been 10 (7) years in (Egypt
Saball, a priest of the Tower of Baal
On the 15th day of the Moon she left the temple on the so-called island of Meroë (Egypt ) at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the Atbara rivers.
Cessair had in her charge 3 shiploads (3x50 women & 3 men) of followers.
She spent 20 (18) days upon the Caspian Sea and 12 (20) days travelling from the Caspian Sea to the Cimmerian (Sea of Azov ).
She then spent 1 day in Asia Minor, then 20 days voyaging from Asia Minor to the Alps .
They voyaged for 9 (18) days from the Alps to Spain and 9 days from Spain to Ireland where they landed on the 5th (15th) day of the moon in May at Dun na mBarc (Fortress of Ships) at the southern promontory Corco Duibne , Munster
They arrived 40 days before the flood. By the time they reached Ireland
Here at Dun na mBarc Bath Ireland
Cessair then led her people to Miledach (Bun Suainme) at the Meeting of the Three Waters (Nore/Barrow/Suir) in county Kilkenny
When a great flood struck 40 days after their arrival, Fintan and Banba were the only survivors of the followers of Cessair.
Cessair herself died at Cul Cessrach in Connacht and the great leech Abba was drowned when the rising water swept over her while she slept on the beach. The area became known as Traig Eba.
Because Banba and Fintan mac Bochra both escaped the flood it is interesting to theorize that they were the progenitors of the Fomorii, a predominantly female people who claimed that they came from Mount Hermon where there was a temple to Baal. Cessair's foster-father Saball son of Nionall (Nenual) was associated with a tower of Baal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)