Rigisamus

Rigisamus, also Rigisamos, was a deity in Gaulish and Celtic mythology who, according to the Interpretatio Romana, was connected with Mars.

Mythology and Etymology

Rigisamus is mentioned in two inscriptions, one in Bourges (Cher department, Region Center-Val de Loire in France),^[1] and the other in West Cocker (in Yeovil, county of Somerset in England)^[2] together with a picture of God and the following text:^[3]

Deo Marti | Rigisamo | Iu (v) entius | Sabinus | v (otum) s (olvit) l (aetus) l (ibens) m (erito)

("Juventius Sabinus gladly and deservedly fulfilled the vow for the god Mars Rigisamus")

The name Rigisamus is derived from a reconstructed Proto-Indo-European root * rīg ("king", "royal") and a second, * -samo, * samali ("unique"). Rigisamus would therefore mean "the most royal", or "king of kings". The Irish word rí [ R'iː ] and the Gallic rix [rīg-s ] (both also mean “king”) are directly related to this.

It is unknown which properties of Mars are attributed to Rigisamus.

See also

• List of Celtic deities
• Ancient Celtic religion
• Gaulish gods