The Matres in Celtic Mythology

The Matres in Celtic Mythology

The Matres, or “Mothers, were depicted as a trio of goddesses of fertility, prosperity and health in France, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The cult of the Matres spread among the Celtic tribes of other countries such as Britain and Spain during the era of the Roman Empire.

The Matres, or Deae Matres, were maternal goddesses  of fertility, childbirth and nursing mothers
(Balkan Celts - https://balkancelts.wordpress.com/…/to-the-3-almighty-moth…/).

The maternal aspects of the Matres were highlighted in various depictions. For example, one of the numerous reliefs of the Matres shows the goddesses holding a baby, a sponge and a napkin in the Roman settlement of Vertillum in eastern France.
 (Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bibracte_Deesses.jpg).

The Matres were sometimes portrayed as a single goddess. An inscription found Balesmes-sur-Marne (Haute-Marne) dating to the second century AD is dedicated to the goddess Matrona as the personification of the river Marne. The Matres were therefore considered goddesses of protection.

The Matres were often shown as three hooded spirits, or genii cucullati which seems to reflect the popularity of the goddesses among the Celts and Romanised Celts of Britain and Europe.

For example, three hooded spirits were present in the corner of a relief of Rosmerta and Mercury in the Roman baths of Somerset in England.

Rosmerta, the goddess of fertility and prosperity, was the divine consort of Mercury, the Roman god of merchants and trade. The Matres are goddesses who bestowed prosperity and commercial success
 (Age Fotostock - https://www.agefotostock.com/…/Rights-Manag…/IAM-WHA-4000-PC ).

Other representations of the Matres show each goddess in different positions. For example, two of the goddesses are standing in Vertillum. One the deities holds a cornucopia, the symbol of prosperity, while the other holds a patera.

The triple form of the Matres indicates the combined powers of the goddesses were particularly potent in the Celtic religion.

The Matres were worshipped widely among the Celts during the era of the Roman Empire. Depictions and inscriptions of the Matres have been found in France, Germany, Britain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain and northern Italy.

The goddesses were particularly popular among the lower ranks of the Roman army, freedmen and slaves.

The tribe of the Treveri in modern-day Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg were mostly associated with the Matres when they were linked with fertility.

For more information on the Celtic gods and goddesses of Britain, Ireland and Europe, please visit
http://celtsandmyths.mzzhost.com/index.html

Interesting Articles

Polytheist
http://polytheist.com/…/interpretatio-romana-and-matronae-…/