Celtic Gods: The Gaulish God, Magniacus (The Great One)

Magniacus
A Gaulish God: The Great One

Magniacus is a Gaulish god known from a single inscription found at Hières, France where he is invoked as Mercury Vellaunus. H was probably the patron deity of the Magny region in France (which was named after him).



Synonyms:
Gaul: The Great One

Magianus is a deity know from a single inscription found at Hières, Isère, France (CIL XII 2373) where he is assimilated by Interpretato Romana with Mercury as Mercurio Victori Ma[g]niaco Ve[l]launo and is an epithet of Mercury Vellaunus. The name, Magniacus, is derived from the reconstructed proto-Celtic compoent *magyo- (great), yielding the interpretation of 'The Great One' which might indicate that he represents the warrior aspect of Mars, though this cannot be known with any real certainty. It is also possible that the name is purely Latin (though it would have the same derivation as the Celtic interpretation).

The name Magniacus is also known from Magny in the Ain region of France, which was known as Magniacus in 864 CE, had changed to Maniacum by 1188 CE and to Magniez by 1436 CE. Though the name may be Latinized this is suggestive that it may represent what was originally a Gaulish deity, the patron deity of this region.



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