Cocidius facts for kids

Cocidius was an ancient god worshipped in northern Britain. The people who lived there, called Britons, worshipped him. Roman soldiers also worshipped him. The Romans thought Cocidius was like their own gods, Mars, who was the god of war and hunting, and Silvanus, who was the god of forests and wild places. Cocidius was likely a special god for a specific tribe or area, like a guardian spirit.

What His Name Means

Experts think the name Cocidius might come from an old Celtic word, cocco-, which means 'red'. This suggests that statues or pictures of Cocidius might have been painted red. For example, a figure found in the 1980s in the Otterburn Training Area is even known as "the Red One."

Carvings and Dedications

Many signs of Cocidius have been found, especially near Hadrian's Wall and in an area called Cumbria. These signs include carvings and special messages called dedications.

One ancient Roman place name, Fanocodi, was mentioned in an old map called the Ravenna Cosmography. This name might mean "temple of Cocidius." Experts believe this place was near the Solway Estuary and is now known as Bewcastle.

Dedications to Cocidius have been found at Roman forts like Birdoswald and Bewcastle. One message found at Ebchester calls him Cocidius Vernostonus. This links him to the alder tree.

In 2006, a 2000-year-old carving of Cocidius was discovered near Chesters Fort on Hadrian's Wall. People called it "the little man." This carving shows a figure with its arms spread wide and legs firmly on the ground. Even though it doesn't clearly show if it's a man or woman, the shape and items suggest it's a male figure. It holds a shield in its left hand and a sword in its right. A scabbard, which holds a sword, hangs from its belt.

This "little man" is one of at least nine carvings of Cocidius found along Hadrian's Wall. There are also about 25 other written dedications to him. Most of these findings are in the western part of the Wall. One of the most impressive carvings is at Yardhope. Here, a figure holding a spear and shield is carved into a rock face at the entrance to a small shrine.

See also

• Vernostonos, possibly another name for Cocidius