Amergin mac Eccit facts for kids
Amergin mac Eccit was a famous poet and a brave warrior from ancient Ireland. He lived during a time known as the Ulster Cycle, which is a collection of old Irish myths and legends. Amergin was part of the court of Conchobar mac Nessa, who was the king of the Ulaid people.
Amergin's father, Eccet Salach, was a skilled smith. For the first fourteen years of his life, Amergin was very quiet and didn't speak much. He also didn't wash himself!
How Amergin Became a Great Poet
One day, Athirne, who was the main poet for the Ulaid, sent his helper to Amergin's father to order a special axe. The helper was shocked when Amergin, who was still a young boy, suddenly spoke a clever and mysterious poem. The helper quickly ran back to tell Athirne what he had heard.
Athirne became worried that Amergin might take his important job as chief poet. He decided he needed to get rid of the boy. But Amergin's father, Eccet, was very smart. He made a clay copy of Amergin that looked exactly like him. When Athirne arrived to pick up his new axe, he struck the clay copy, thinking he had killed Amergin, and then he ran away.
The Ulaid people surrounded Athirne's house and made him pay money to Eccet for what he had done. Athirne then took Amergin in as his foster-son and taught him everything he knew about poetry. Over time, Amergin truly did become the chief poet of Ulster, just as Athirne had feared.
Amergin's Family and Heroic Deeds
Amergin married a woman named Findchoem, who was the sister of King Conchobar mac Nessa. They had a son named Conall Cernach, who also became a famous hero. Amergin also helped raise Cú Chulainn, another legendary Irish hero, as his foster-son. Amergin had two other sons named Condra and Amergin.
Amergin was not just a poet; he was a brave warrior too. He is known for defeating the Ellén Trechend, a scary three-headed monster. This monster used to attack Ireland from a cave called Cruachan.
Amergin's Role in the Great Cattle Raid
Amergin played an important part in the famous story called the Táin Bó Cúailnge, which means "the cattle raid of Cooley". During this great battle, the army from Connachta was trying to advance, but Amergin stopped them. For three days and three nights, he threw huge stones at them!
A hero from Munster named Cú Roí, who was with the Connachta army, started throwing stones back at Amergin. The stones crashed together in the air, sending bits of rock everywhere. Eventually, Medb, the queen leading the Connachta army, begged them both to stop.
Amergin and Cú Roí agreed to stop, and Cú Roí went back to Munster. But as soon as Cú Roí was gone, Amergin started throwing stones again! He argued that his agreement was only with Cú Roí, not with the whole army. In the end, Amergin agreed to step back until the final big battle.
