Condatis facts for kids

Condatis was an ancient Celtic god. People in northern Britain (when it was part of the Roman Empire) and Gaul (which is now France) worshipped him.

He was especially connected to places where two rivers meet, called "confluences." You can find evidence of his worship, particularly in County Durham in the North of England.

We know about Condatis from several stone carvings (called inscriptions) found in Britain and one found in France. These inscriptions often show him as being similar to the Roman god Mars.

What Does the Name Condatis Mean?

The name Condatis comes from an old Celtic word, condāt-, which means 'confluence' or 'where rivers meet'. This word itself comes from even older words that mean 'put together' or 'reunion'.

The word condāt- was also used in people's names, like Condatus. It was also used in many place names, especially towns built where rivers joined. Some examples include Condé, Condat, and Candé. Even the old name for Rennes, a city in France, was Condate, meaning 'confluence'.

What Was the Cult of Condatis?

The word "cult" here refers to the religious practices and worship of Condatis. His worship was likely linked to places called Condate, which were settlements often found where rivers met in Gaul.

People believed the Celtic god Condatis had powers related to water and healing.

Stone altars dedicated to Condatis have been found near old Roman forts in County Durham, England. These findings suggest that people worshipped him as a "confluence-deity," a god of river junctions.

Where Have We Found Evidence of Condatis?

Archaeologists have found stone carvings and altars dedicated to Condatis in different places, showing where people worshipped him.

Evidence in Scotland

One altar dedicated to Mars Condatis was found at the Cramond Roman Fort, near Edinburgh in Scotland. This shows that his worship spread even to the northern parts of Roman Britain.

Evidence in England

Several altars dedicated to Mars Condatis have been discovered in County Durham in the North of England. These finds are often near Roman forts and river confluences.

• Chester-le-Street: An altar was found here in 1886, near the Cong Burn where it meets the River Wear. The Roman fort here was called Concangis.
• Bowes: An altar was found around 1900 near a Roman road. This area is close to the River Greta. The Roman fort here was called Lavatrae.
• Piercebridge: An altar was found around 1709 near High Coniscliffe. This location is close to the River Tees. The Roman fort here was called Morbium.

Evidence in France

An altar dedicated to Condatis was also found in Allonnes, Sarthe, in France. This shows that his worship was not only in Britain but also in his original Celtic homeland of Gaul.