Condatis

Condatis (Gaulish: 'confluence') was an ancient Celtic deity worshipped primarily in northern Britain but also in Gaul. He was associated with the confluences of rivers, in particular within County Durham in the North of England. ^[a] Condatis is known from several inscriptions in Britain and a single inscription found at Alonnes, Sarthe, France. In each case he is equated with the Roman god Mars.^[b]

Name

The theonym Condatis derives from the stem condāt-, meaning 'confluence', itself from Proto-Celtic *kom-dati-, from an earlier kom-d^hh₁-ti- ('put with, put together', i.e. 'grouping, reunion').^[2][3]

The stem condāt- is also attested in personal names, including Condatus, Condatius, and Condatie, as well as in toponyms such as Condé, Condat, Candé, Conte, Condes, Candes, Cosnes, Condate (the old name of Rennes and Northwich), Condom, Condéon (both from *Condate-o-magos), Cond (< *Condate-dunum), Kontz, Conz (Trier), and Canstatt (Condistat).^[4][2]

Cult

The cult title is probably related to the place name Condate, often used in Gaul for settlements at the confluence of rivers.^[5] The Celtic god Condatis is thought to have functions pertaining to water and healing. ^{[6] [7]}

Roman altar-inscriptions to Mars Condates have been found near Roman forts in County Durham in the North of England that may suggest a 'confluence-deity' cult and the possibility that river confluences may have been used as pagan ritual sacrifice or human sacrifice sites.^[c][d][e]

Archaeological evidence

British Isles

Roman altars with inscriptions to Mars Condates have been found in the Tees and Wear valleys of County Durham. ^[a] Altars are normally found at the confluence of rivers – for example, the Cong Burn–Wear confluence near Chester-le-Street – however others may have been disturbed or removed, especially by antiquarians and collectors.

The inscription Mars Condates is a conflation (joining) of deities:^[f]

1. Roman god Mars – god of war and father of Romulus, the founder of Rome.
2. Gaulish deity Condatis – god of river confluences.

Altar inscriptions (British Isles)

List of altars with inscriptions to Mars Condates:

Reference	Type	Find location	Confluence	Map [help 1]	Ordnance Survey
Mars Condates RIB 3500.[rib 1]	Altar fragment	Cramond Roman Fort, near Edinburgh.[web 1]	Almond–Firth of Forth.	[map 1] [help 1]	319202_676778
Mars Condates RIB 1045.[rib 2]	Altar	Concangis (Roman Fort), Chester-le-Street.	Cong Burn–Wear.	[map 2]	427799_551264
Mars Condates RIB 1024.[rib 3]	Altar	High Coniscliffe village.[g] Piercebridge Roman Fort, Dere Street	? River Tees.	[map 3]	420855_515627
Mars Condates RIB 731.[rib 4]	Altar	Bowes village.[h] Lavatrae (Roman Fort), Watling Street (North).	? River Greta.	[map 4]	399101_513404
Mars Condates Brit.47.1.[rib 5]	Altar	Moulton, North Yorkshire. Find date: 2015	Not known	[map 5]	423554_503906

France

An example of an altar-inscription to Condatis has been found at Allonnes, Sarthe in France.