Andraste facts for kids

Andraste, also known as Andrasta, was a powerful war goddess from ancient Britain. People believed she helped warriors in battle. The Roman historian Dio Cassius wrote about her. He said the Iceni queen Boudica called upon Andraste during her fight against the Roman army in Britain around AD 60. Some historians think Andraste might be the same as Andate, another goddess mentioned by Dio Cassius, who was called "their name for Victory." Her name means "unconquerable" or "indestructible."

The Sacred Hare

Many modern followers of ancient religions believe the hare was sacred to Andraste. This idea comes from a story by Dio Cassius about Queen Boudica. In this story, Boudica used a hare to predict the future before a big battle.

"Let us, therefore, go against [the Romans], trusting boldly to good fortune. Let us show them that they are hares and foxes trying to rule over dogs and wolves." When she [Boudica] had finished speaking, she employed a species of divination, letting a hare escape from the fold of her dress; and since it ran on what they considered the auspicious side, the whole multitude shouted with pleasure, and Boudica, raising her hand towards heaven, said: "I thank you, Andraste, and call upon you as woman speaking to woman ... I beg you for victory and preservation of liberty."

Boudica used the hare's path to tell if the battle would go well. If the hare ran in a good direction, it meant good luck. This was a type of divination, which is a way to try and learn about the future. The Romans also used similar methods, like watching how birds flew, to predict events.

Andraste in Pop Culture

Andraste's name has appeared in popular video games.

Dragon Age Series

In the Dragon Age video game series by BioWare, Andraste is a very important religious prophet. She is central to the fantasy world's main religion.

Folklore Video Game

The name Andraste is also used for an enemy character in the Playstation 3 video game Folklore.