Abandinus facts for kids
Abandinus was a special god or spirit worshipped a long, long time ago by the Celts. People believed in him in a place called Godmanchester, which is in Cambridgeshire, England. This was during the time when the Romans were also in Britain.
How We Know About Abandinus
We only know about Abandinus from one special stone found in Britain. This means he was probably a local god, perhaps connected to a spring or stream near the Roman fort in Godmanchester.
The Roman fort in Godmanchester was an important place. It was on a main road called Ermine Street, right where it crossed the River Great Ouse. The fort might have been called Durovigutum.
The only clue we have about Abandinus is a small bronze feather. This feather was likely a votive object, which means it was a gift offered to the god. The words carved on the feather say:
"DEO ABANDINO VATIAVCVS D S D"
This means:
- ‘To the god Abandinus, Vatiacus dedicates this out of his own funds’.
What Abandinus's Name Might Mean
We don't know for sure what the name Abandinus means. However, experts who study ancient languages have some ideas.
One idea is that the name could mean "the god who sings" or "the god who binds." This would suggest he had powers related to music or connecting things.
Another idea is that his name is linked to the word for "river" or "water." This makes sense because he might have been a god of a local spring or stream. The word for "river" in an old Celtic language was similar to "abon." This word can still be seen today in places like Wales, where "aber" means a river mouth. So, Abandinus could have been "the god of the river."
