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Camulus or Camulos is a Celtic deity who was identified with Mars via interpretatio romana.<ref name="dictionary">Template:Cite book</ref> Camulus was an important god of Roman Britain and Gaul, especially among the Belgae and the Remi,<ref name="dictionary"/> Gaulish tribes that originate from the areas of modern day Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern France and parts of Germany and the Netherlands.
NameEdit
The etymology of the name is uncertain. It has been compared with the Old Irish {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, meaning 'champion'.Template:Sfn
AttestationsEdit
Evidence of Camulus' popularity can be seen in several place-names, notably Camulodunum.<ref name="dictionary"/>
Camulus is named in combination with Mars in inscriptions coming from Reims,<ref>ILTG 351; AE 1935, 00064 [In] honor[em d(omus) d(ivinae)] / [3] Martis Cam[uli 3] / [Iucundiniu[s 3] / [Laurenti]um Lavinat[ium</ref> Arlon,<ref>CIL 13 3980 : Marti / Camulo / Lellius / Settus / v(otum) [s(olvit)] l(ibens) m(erito)</ref> Kruishoutem,<ref>AE 1992, 01244 : Deo Marti Camulo / Verecundus Fructi / v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)</ref> Rindern,<ref>CIL 13 8701 : Marti Camulo / sacrum pro / salute [Neronis] <<Tiberii>> / Claudi Caesaris / [A]ug(usti) Germanici Imp(eratoris) / [c]ives Remi qui / [t]emplum constitu/erunt</ref> Mainz,<ref>CIL 13 11818 : Marti / Camulo / sacrum / [ // Fronto / T[3]oni f(ilius) / d(onum) d(edit)</ref> Bar Hill Fort near the Antonine Wall,<ref>CIL 7 1103 : Deo Mar(ti) / Camulo / [m]ilites coh(ortis) [I] / Hamioru[m] / [2]CIV[1]SC[2] / [2]IVI[3]</ref> Sarmizegetusa,<ref>AE 1998, 01100 : Invicto / Mithrae / Marti Camulo / Mercurio / Rosmertae / Q(uintus) Axius Aeli/anus v(ir) e(gregius) / proc(urator) Aug[g](ustorum) / Ioni(us)</ref> and Southwark, London.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>AE 2002, 882: Num(inibus) Augg(ustorum) / deo Marti Ca/mulo Tiberini/us Celerianus / c(ivis) Bell(ovacus) / moritix / Londiniensi/um / primus [3] / [3]VA[</ref>
The town Camulodunum (now Colchester) in Essex may have been named after him (and is the conjectured basis for the legendary city of Camelot).<ref name="encyc">Template:Cite book</ref> Camulodunum is a Latinised form of the Brittonic Camulodūnon from Camulos plus dūnon "(hill)fort, stronghold", a reference to the town's extensive Iron Age earthwork defences.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
TheoriesEdit
Attempts from the 20th century and earlier to link the name Camulus with the nursery rhyme character Old King Cole, and with Irish mythological Cumhall, the hero Fionn's father, have been rejected by contemporary scholars.<ref name="dictionary"/>
ReferencesEdit
- Bibliography