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?]

Placenames

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.

• Beleymas
• Bellême

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Belisama

• Ptolemy at RomanBritain.org
• Ptolemy at Lacus Curtius

v t e 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 Matrona Dis Pater Epona Erecura Esus Genii Cucullati Grannus Ialonus Contrebis Lenus Litavis Loucetios Lugus Maponos Matres Mogons Nantosuelta Ogmios Rosmerta Segomo Sirona Sucellus Suleviae Taranis Toutatis Virotutis Visucius Britannia Abandinus Alaisiagae Ancasta Andraste Belatu-Cadros Britannia Cocidius Coventina Iouga Latis Nodens Ricagambeda Satiada Senua Sulis 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 Catubodua Lero et Lerina Nemausus Rudianos Germania Inferior Aufaniae Gebrinius Nehalennia Gallaecia Bandua Endovelicus Nabia Reue