Condatis
Celtic deity
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Condatis (Gaulish: 'confluence') was an ancient Celtic deity worshipped primarily in northern Britain but also in Gaul. He was associated with the confluences of rivers, in particular within County Durham in the North of England.[a] Condatis is known from several inscriptions in Britain and a single inscription found at Alonnes, Sarthe, France. In each case he is equated with the Roman god Mars.[b]
Name
The theonym Condatis derives from the stem condāt-, meaning 'confluence', itself from Proto-Celtic *kom-dati-, from an earlier *kom-dhh1-ti- ('put with, put together', i.e. 'grouping, reunion').[2][3] According to Xavier Delamarre, his name may originally have meant '(He of the) Reunion' or 'The Reunited (?)' rather than 'The Confluence', a meaning likely connected to mythological elements that have not survived.[4]
The stem condāt- is also attested in personal names, including Condatus, Condatius, and Condatie, as well as in toponyms such as Condé, Condat, Candé, Conte, Condes, Candes, Cosnes, Condate (the old name of Rennes and Northwich), Condom, Condéon (both from *Condate-o-magos), Cond (< *Condate-dunum), Kontz, Conz (Trier), and Canstatt (Condistat).[5][2]
Cult
The cult title is probably related to the place name Condate, often used in Gaul for settlements at the confluence of rivers.[6] The Celtic god Condatis is thought to have functions pertaining to water and healing.[7][8]
Roman altar-inscriptions to Mars Condates have been found near Roman forts in County Durham in the North of England that may suggest a 'confluence-deity' cult and the possibility that river confluences may have been used as pagan ritual sacrifice or human sacrifice sites.[c][d][e]
Archaeological evidence
British Isles
Roman altars with inscriptions to Mars Condates have been found in the Tees and Wear valleys of County Durham.[a] Altars are normally found at the confluence of rivers – for example, the Cong Burn–Wear confluence near Chester-le-Street – however others may have been disturbed or removed, especially by antiquarians and collectors.
The inscription Mars Condates is a conflation (joining) of deities:[f]
Altar inscriptions (British Isles)
List of altars with inscriptions to Mars Condates:
| Reference | Inscription | Translation | Type | Location | Confluence | Map [help 1] |
Ordnance Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mars Condates RIB 3500.[rib 1] |
D(eo) M(arti) |C̣on|[dati][rib 1] | To the god Mars Condates...[rib 1] | Altar fragment |
Cramond Roman Fort, near Edinburgh.[web 1] |
Almond–Firth of Forth. | [map 1] [help 1] |
319202_676778 |
| Mars Condates RIB 1045.[rib 2] |
Deo Marti |Condati V(alerius) |[P]rob[i]anus [pr]o |se et suis v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)[rib 2] | To the god Mars Condates, Valerius Probianus for himself and his household willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.[rib 2] | Altar | Concangis (Roman Fort), Chester-le-Street. |
Cong Burn–Wear. | [map 2] | 427799_551264 |
| Mars Condates RIB 1024.[rib 3] |
D(eo) M(arti) |Condati |Attonius |Quintianus | men(sor) eṿọc(atus) imp(eratum) |ex ius(su) sol(vit) l(ibens) a(nimo)[rib 3] | To the god Mars Condates, Attonius Quintianus, surveyor, evocatus, gladly fulfilled the command by order.[rib 3] | Altar | High Coniscliffe village.[g] Piercebridge Roman Fort, Dere Street |
? River Tees. | [map 3] | 420855_515627 |
| Mars Condates RIB 731.[rib 4] |
[M]arti |Condati |Arponat|us v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)[rib 4] | To Mars Condates Arponatus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.[rib 4] | Altar | Bowes village.[h] Lavatrae (Roman Fort), Watling Street (North). |
? River Greta. | [map 4] | 399101_513404 |
| Mars Condates Brit.47.1.[rib 5] |
d(eo) Marti |Condati |Cunoba|cha | p(osuit)[rib 5] | To the god Mars Condates, Cunobacha set (this) up.[rib 5] | Altar | Moulton, North Yorkshire. Find date: 2015 |
Not known | [map 5] | 423554_503906 |
France
An example of an altar-inscription to Condatis has been found at Allonnes, Sarthe in France.