V. The Celts

Manx tradition knows nothing of Nuada or of Bile. In their stead it tells of Manannan, a god in some respects comparable to them both; for he too had pretensions to control the atmosphere, the sea, and the world of the dead. He used to exhibit his power over the air by enshrouding his eponymous island in mist, whenever an assailant tried to find the way thither. 1 Moreover, he was closely related to Lug the sun-god: not only does Lug ride the horse 1 and wear the armour* of Manannan, but in one ancient tale 4 Lug actually appears as king in Manannan's palace.' Commonly, however, Manannan was connected with the watery element 'Scots and Brittons,' says Cormac,' called him a sea-god and declared that he was sprung from the sea, ije. viae Lir, "son of

Geography · Classical Antiquity Studies · Historical Studies of British Isles · History · Medieval Literature and History