Epona - Goddess of Horses in Celtic Mythology
Epona, meaning "Divine Mare", was the goddess of horses, including those who worked with them, as well as fertility during the Iron age. Her worship originated with nomadic Celts in Gaul and extended throughout Continental Europe and the Roman Empire. Epona was the only Celtic deity venerated in Rome itself.
The myth states Epona was the beautiful child of a horse and human male. The importance of horses in Celtic culture may have contributed to her cult spreading from Gaul to Germany and eventually to Rome. For example, Celtic nobles were usually buried with their horses and saddles indicating horses were important in the after-life. The extensive worship of Epona may also be the reason why the Celts did not eat horse meat.
The connection between Epona and horses was also present in the rites of Celtic kings as the goddess was thought to bestow on the king his authority to rule during a ritual. Epona's importance was later signified with a shrine in nearly every stable in the Roman Empire because she protected not only the horses but also those who worked with them.
Epona's cult spread from Gaul to Germany and the Roman Empire between 1AD and 3AD. The goddess was worshipped not only by ordinary people but by Roman soldiers, especially the cavalry. It is possible the spread of the cult was principally due to the recruitment of the Roman cavalry, such as the Imperial Horse Guard, from Gaul and Germany. The Romans are credited with introducing her worship into not only areas of the Roman Empire, such as Britain, but also to Rome itself.
Epona was the only Celtic goddess to be venerated in Rome and was officially included in the gods of the Emperor as "Epona Augusta" and "Epona Regina". The 18th December was dedicated to Epona and was celebrated in the Roman calendar as a feast day.
A large number of depictions of Epona have been found all over Europe and the British Isles, particularly in Gaul and the Rhineland. For example, statues have been found on the remains of stables and barns. Epona is usually represented as woman riding side-saddled on a white horse, such as those found in the Rhineland, which was the symbol of purity. The goddess was occasionally accompanied by a dog, a foal or holding ears of corn, such as those found in England, the symbol of fertility. Other representations show her surrounded by horses or feeding a horse. The "Uffinton White Horse" on White Horse hill in England is supposed to be an Iron Age representation of Epona.
Epona is also depicted holding a key or set of keys, denoting a link to the after-life. The goddess was supposedly carrying souls of those who died on her horse to and from the Other-world.
The various incarnations of Epona included the goddesses associated with horses such as Rhiannon in Wales, Macha in Ireland, the cult of Rigatonia in Britain and the Celtic goddess Edain.
The early Christians absorbed Epona and other Celtic dieties into the religion. Remnants of the goddess may be found today with the pantomime horse and the eleventh century legend of Lady Godiva.
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