The Gaulish and Brythonic God, Camulos: Champion

Synonyms: Camulus
Bryth, Gaul: Champion

Camulos is known from inscriptional evidence across continental Europe. Dedications to this deity have been found at Mainz and Rindern, Germany where he is equated with Mars; Solin, Croatia where, once again he is equated with Mars and assocated with Jupiter and Epona; Rome where he is associated with Arduinna, Jupiter, Mercury and Hercules and Reims, France. The Rindern stone is interesting in that the stone is decorated with a tree on either side and a coronet of oak leaves. However, the greatest concentration of inscriptions are found in Belgium around the regions of Arlon and Kruishoutern which has led to the conclusion that Camulos was a deity particularly important to the Remi, a Belgic tribe of the region, to whom he was known as Camulos of the Invincible Sword.

As Camulus, this deity is known from Sarmizegetusa, Romania where he is equated with Mars and associated with Mithras, Rosmerta and Mercury. Possible inscriptions to Camulos have also been found at Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme, France and Autelbas, Belgium.

Insular evidence for Camulos comes from an inscription found at Bar Hill, Dunbartonshire on the Antoine wall that reads Deo Marti Camulo. A second, possible inscription reading Marti C.... was found at Croy Hill. Otherwise evidence comes from place names: Camulodunum (Fort of Camulos) now Colchester, Essex also Camulodunum now Almondbury, Yorkshire. The place name Camulosessa Præsidium (Seat of Camulos), identified as Castle Greg, West Lothian, Scotland may also be associated with this deity, especially as the nearby Camilty, which, as Cameltree (C18th) may derive from Brythonic Camulos Tref, meaning "village of Camulos". The cult of Camulos would therefore seem to be spread throughout the length of mainland Britain and might reflect the northwards spread of the Belgic tribes in Britain.

The recent discovery of a plaque with a new inscription dedicated to Camulos in London sheds new light on the cult of Camulos. The inscription itself reads: NVM AVGG DEO MARTI CAMVLO TIBERINIVS CELERIANVS C BELL MORITIX LONDINIENSIVM MVS (For the Spirits of the Emperors and for the god Martius Camulos, Tiberinius Celerianus, Custodian of the Warriors, Moritex of the people of Londinium, [offers] this memorial in fulfillment of a vow). The way Moritex, dedicator of the inscription describes himself as Custodian of the Warriors would indicate that he was probably involved with London's gladiators. Given the possible etymology of the name Camulos as 'The Champion' (assuming the name is derived from the same root as the Cymrid camwr [champion] and campwr one who performs feats) then the possible association of Camulos with London gladiators may make some sense; especially as Camulos is always associated with the classical Mars, making him a warrior deity. Interpreting Camulos to mean 'champion' may also reflect the Celts' preference for individual conflict by champions rather than for all-out war. Camulos, though obviously a warrior deity may be the patron of such champions and would therefore lend himself as the insular patron of gladiatorial combatants.

Coinage discovered in the area of Camulodunum shows a ram-horned deity with a mix of the attributes of Jupiter and Egyptian Ammon. The native deities associated with Mars are generally depicted with ram horns, or associated with the ram-horned serpent which may make the images on the Camulodunum coins that of Camulos himself.

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