Belenos
deity Gaulish single tradition · 1
Belenos is a Gaulish deity traditionally interpreted as a 'bright one' or 'shining one', often associated with solar attributes through the interpretatio romana as the 'Gaulish Apollo'. Recent scholarship suggests alternative interpretations linking Belenos to the psychoactive plant henbane (belenuntia) or to water cults, given dedications to Fons Beleni and associations with nymphs.
When
- First attested
- 500 BCE
- Attested period
- -500 – 200
- Historical notes
- Associated with Gaulish and Celtic traditions, with dedications found in southern France.
Relationships
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“In pre-Roman Britain, a tribal leader bore the name Cunobelinos, which possibly means 'hound of Belenos'.”
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