Early Gods of Britain: Alator
- Malakai
- Oct 11, 2015
- 2 min read
"He who nourishes his people" - Llewellyn's 2005 Magical Almanac
AH-la-tor
Reference to Mars Alator (marti alator) can be found in Britain on an altar at South Shields and a small silver votive slab in Barkway, and depicts a God in full armor (with shield, spear, and helm) and reads D (EO) MARTI ALATOR. (1, 2, 4) The votive plaque has since been moved to the British Museum in London. (2)
Many interpret Alator to mean "hunter", "protector", or "cherisher". The Encylopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore refers to him as a warrior or healing god whose name means "he who rears and nourishes his people." The description goes on to say that his name appears in both Britain and Ireland.
The Black Mountain Druidic Order claims Alator as a God of the Hunt, involked during enactments of the Wild Hunt, and consider the woodpecker and wolf to be sacred to him, as well as thorny or red plants. "If Alator comes to you, there may be some need in your life that is being unmet. It could also be a sign that you are in need of some sort of protection" (6)
A description of the votive plate comes form the site Roman Inscriptions of Britain: "With flat top, ornamented with leaf-pattern. Embossed in the centre is a shrine formed by two twisted columns with leaf-capitals surmounted by a pediment enclosing a wreath. In the shrine stands a frontal figure of Mars in panoply, with head turned to his left; in his right hand he holds a spear, and rests his left hand on his shield." (7)
The full inscription of the votive reads: D(eo) Marti Alatori Dum(…) Censorinus Gemelli fil(ius) v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)
"To the god Mars Alator Dum(…) Censorinus, son of Gemellus, willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow. " (7)
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1) Wikipedia, Mars (mythology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_%28mythology%29
2) de.Wikipedia, Alator https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alator
3) The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore
4) Dictionary of Celtic Religion and Culture by Bernhard Maier
5) Llewelyn's 2005 Magical Almanac, "The Early Gods of Britain and Wales" by Sharynne MacLeod NicMhacha
6) Black Mountain Druid Order, Alator http://groveoakorg.ipage.com/?page_id=921
7) Roman Inscriptions of Britain, RIV 218. Dedication to Mars Alator
http://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/218
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