Belisama

Belisana is also a spider genus (Pholcidae).

In Celtic polytheism, Belisama or Bηλησαμα (Bēlēsama) was a goddess worshipped in Gaul and Britain. She was connected with lakes and rivers, fire, crafts and light. Belisama was identified with Minerva/Athena and has been compared with Brigid. She has been claimed to be the consort of Belenus,^[1] with whom she shared certain attributes. Her name has been interpreted to mean "summer bright".

RIG G-172 inscription: СΕΓΟΜΑΡΟС/ ΟΥΙΛΛΟΝΕΟС/ ΤΟΟΥΤΙΟΥС/ ΝΑΜΑΥСΑΤΙС/ ΕΙѠΡΟΥ ΒΗΛΗ/СΑΜΙ СΟСΙΝ/ ΝΕΜΗΤΟΝ.

A Gaulish inscription found at Vaison-la-Romaine in Provence shows that a nemeton was dedicated to her:^[2]

Segomaros Ouilloneos tooutious Namausatis eiōrou Bēlēsami sosin nemēton

"Segomarus Uilloneos, citizen [toutius] of Namausus, dedicated this sanctuary [nemeton] to Belesama"^[3]

A Latin inscription from Saint-Lizier, Aquitania (in antiquity, Consoranni) associates her with Minerva:^[4]

Minervae / Belisamae / sacrum / Q(uintus) Valerius / Montan[us] / [e]x v[oto?]

The River Ribble in England was known by the name Belisama in Roman times.^[5] Ptolemy lists a Belisama estuary at coordinates which correspond to the mouth of the Ribble.

References

External links

• Ptolemy at RomanBritain.org
• Ptolemy at Lacus Curtius

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