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Beda
A Gaulish Goddess: Burial
This goddess is known from a single inscription, dedicated by Germanic tribesmen, found at Housesteads and her name was probabl used as that of the tutelary goddess of Bitburg, Germany (formerly known as Beda Vicus). She form sone half of the warrior deities Alaisiagae and represents burial (which is also the meaning of her name). This would indicate that she may have been a psychopomp, like the Irish Morrigan, carrying the spirits of the departed to the mext realm. |
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Gaul: Burial
Along with Boudihillia Beda forms a pair of goddesses known as the Alaisiagae and they represent the righteousness of battle and burial, respectively.
The following inscription to Beda was found in the Vercoviciivm fort on Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads, Northumberland: DEO MARTI THINCSO ET DVABVS ALAISAGIS BEDE ET FIMMILENE ET N AVG GERM CIVES TVIHANTI VSLM (To the god Mars Thincsus and the two Alaisagae, Beda and Fimmilena, and the divine spirit of the emperor, the German tribesmen from Tuihantis willingly and deservedly fulfill their vow). In another inscription within the same temple her name is replaced by that of the Germanic goddess Frigabis whiich strongly suggests syncretization of the two deities. Another centre of worship may have been the twon of Bitburg, Germany, which was called "Beda Vicus", which means in both Celtic and Germanic the 'Village of Beda.'
The name Beda is probably derived from the same root as the Cymric beddu (to place in the grave, to bury) an apposite name for one of the Alaisiagae. As a goddess of burial and the battle dead she may be a psychopomp, one who transports the spirits of the dead to the next world.
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