Ancasta

Ancasta was a Celtic goddess worshipped in Roman Britain. She is known from a single dedicatory inscription found in the United Kingdom at the Roman settlement of Clausentum (Bitterne, near Southampton).^[1] Ancasta may be taken to be a local goddess, possibly associated with the nearby River Itchen.

The votive dedication to Ancasta reads:

DEAE ANCASTAE GEMINVS MANI VSLM

"To the goddess Ancasta, Geminus Mani[lius] willingly and deservedly fulfills his vow."

It may be possible that the name 'Ancasta' is related to Proto-Celtic *kasto- meaning 'swift'.^[2]

The inscription is now in the SeaCity Museum.^[3]

References

1. ↑ Jufer, Nicole & Thierry Luginbühl (2001). Les dieux gaulois : répertoire des noms de divinités celtiques connus par l'épigraphie, les textes antiques et la toponymie. Paris: Editions Errance. ISBN 2-87772-200-7. p.21.
2. ↑ Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales. "Proto-Celtic—English lexicon." (See also this page for background and disclaimers.)
3. ↑ Clausentum, Pastscape, retrieved 13 January 2012

Celtic mythology series Ancient deities of Gaul, Britain and Gallaecia by region Supra-regional Alaunus Alisanos Andarta Anextiomarus Artio Aveta Belenus Belisama Borvo Brigantia Camulus Cernunnos Cicolluis Cissonius Condatis Damona Dis Pater Epona Erecura Esus Genii Cucullati Grannus Ialonus Contrebis Lenus Litavis Loucetios Lugus Maponos Matres Matrona Mogons Nantosuelta Ogmios Rosmerta Segomo Sirona Sucellus Suleviae Taranis Toutatis Virotutis Visucius Britannia Abandinus Alaisiagae Ancasta Andraste Belatucadros Britannia Cocidius Coventina Iouga Latis Nodens Ricagambeda Satiada Senuna Sulis Vinotonus Verbeia Veteris Gallia Aquitania Abellio Fagus Gallia Belgica Abnoba Ancamna Arduinna Arvernus Icovellauna Inciona Intarabus Iovantucarus Ritona Veraudunus Vindonnus Vosegus Xulsigiae Gallia Celtica Anvallus Atepomarus Bricta Icaunis Luxovius Nemetona Moritasgus Mullo Naria Robor Sequana Souconna Smertrios Telo Gallia Cisalpina Ambisagrus Gallia Narbonensis Artaius Buxenus Cathubodua Lero et Lerina Nemausus Rudianos Germania Inferior Matronae Aufaniae Gebrinius Nehalennia Gallaecia Bandua Endovelicus Nabia Reue