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Rudianus
A Gaulish God: He of the Red [battle] Frenzy
Rudianus is a Gaulish God known from six inscriptions found in France, in three of which he is equated with Roman Mars. He is a red god, representative of the battle-enraged warrior) |
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Gaul: He of the Red [battle] Frenzy
Rudianus is known six inscriptions found at four sites in France, namely: Hyères in the Var and Cabasse in the Var (CIL XII 0341), Saint-Genis (CIL XII 2204) and Saint-Etienne (CIL XII 1566) [both in the Drôme]. In the latter three sites Rudianus is assimilated with Roman Mars by interpretato Romana and invoked as Mars Rudianus. At Saint-Michel-de-Valbonnein the Var an inscription to this deity was found as well as a menhir (which might date from the 6th century BCE) incised figure of a large-headed horseman riding-down five severed heads (CIL XII 0381; 0382). This image may represent Rudianus himself, though without direct epigraphic evidence the association can only be inferred.
Rudianus' name can be derived from the reconstructed proto-Celtic element *roudo- (red) or *rud- (redden) and *jantu- (zeal) with the Latinized masculine ending us; giving us 'He of the Red Zeal', or perhaps a better epithet would be 'He of the Red [Battle] Frenzy'. This would make Rudianus a 'bearsark', a berserker, one upon whom the red mist of rage descends in battle; the epitome of a warrior god. In this respect Rudianus' association with the Saint-Michel-de-Valbonnein statue would make some sense, the heads of enemies being the ultimate battle trophies in war. Etymologically the name Ruadianus is related to those of the Irish deities Ruadán and Ruadchoin. In this context, however it is the Ruadchoin that interests us. Three heroes of the UíBriúin from Cuala in Leinster bore this name. During their attack on the Hostel of Da Derga (where the high king, Conaire Mór journeyed in spite of warnings of impending doom. As a result he breaks all the geise [taboos] laid upon him and his fate is sealed) they are said to command twelve-score men apiece and a 'frenzied troop'. This troop thies this triple-deity directly to the meaning of Rudianus' name and illuminates an aspect of the native Celtic 'Mars' as the bearer of the 'red frenzy of battle'.
The association of the Celtic war god with the colour red is also bourne-out by the deity Mars Cocidius whose name can be interpreted as: The Red One. Red, obviously is the colour of blood; however, it is also the colour of the battle rage of the true warrior.
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