Amathaon, Amatha'on
[Welsh, great or divine ploughman; cf. Welsh amaeth, agriculture, labour]
A ploughman and magician, the son of Dôn, in early Welsh narrative. In Culhwch ac Olwen he was the only man who could till a certain difficult field. He taught magic to Gwydion. Amaethon's theft of a dog and a roebuck from Annwfn, the otherworld, caused a war between the ruler, Arawn, and Gwydion, which culminated in Cad Goddeu, the Battle of the Trees; Amaethon defeated Arawn before the battle was completed. Many authorities have suggested that Amaethon is derived from an agricultural god.
