Belatucadros facts for kids

This ancient stone altar was dedicated to Belatucadros near Kirkbride, Cumbria. The Latin words carved on it mean something like "To the god Belatocadros, Peisius, a soldier, willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow."

Belatucadros (also spelled Belatucadrus) was an ancient god worshipped in northern Britain, especially in areas like Cumberland and Westmorland. He was important to the Celts, who were the people living in Britain before the Romans. When the Romans arrived, they often connected their gods with local ones. Belatucadros was linked to the Roman god Mars, who was the god of war. This means Belatucadros might have been seen as a god of war or protection too. Both Roman soldiers and local Britons worshipped him.

Who Was Belatucadros?

Belatucadros was a local god from ancient Britain. His name is often thought to mean "fair shining one" or "fair slayer." This suggests he might have been a powerful or protective figure. We know about him from about 28 stone carvings and altars found near Hadrian's Wall. This wall was a huge barrier built by the Romans across northern Britain.

How Do We Know About Him?

Most of what we know about Belatucadros comes from inscriptions. These are words carved into stone altars or monuments. People would dedicate these altars to gods to thank them or ask for help. Many of these altars are quite small and simple. This makes experts think that Belatucadros was mostly worshipped by everyday people, like soldiers or farmers, rather than very rich or powerful leaders.

Different Names for the God

The name Belatucadros appears in many slightly different ways on these old stones. You might see it spelled as Balatocadrus, Belatucairus, or even Blatucadrus. These are all believed to be different ways of writing the same god's name.

Belatucadros and Other Gods

Belatucadros was sometimes called "Mars Belatucadrus" in five of the inscriptions. This shows how closely the Romans connected him to their own god of war.

Was He a Horned God?

Some historians, like Anne Ross, have suggested that Belatucadros might have been a type of "horned god." Many Celtic gods were shown with horns, which often symbolized strength or nature. A carving of a horned head was found near a place where Belatucadros was worshipped in Netherby, Cumbria. However, we can't be absolutely sure that this horned head represents Belatucadros himself.

No Goddess Partner

Unlike some other gods, Belatucadros is never shown with a female partner or consort in any of the discoveries. Also, there are no clear pictures or statues that we can definitely say show what Belatucadros looked like. This is unusual for an ancient god with so many dedications.