The Mythological Cycle Today we will continue out investigation into the early Irish deities...

The Mythological CycleThe Mythological Cycle

• Today we will continue out investigation into the early Irish deities focusing today on:

• The Lebor Gabala Érenn

• And next time The Wooing of Etain.

Lebor Gabala: The Book of Lebor Gabala: The Book of InvasionsInvasions

• Compiled in the 12th century.

• The five volumes of the LG appear to have grown over several centuries. Perhaps started c 9th century.

• The compilers created a history of early Ireland based on a succession of different invasions of the island.

The InvasionsThe Invasions……

• Cesair

• Partolon

• Nemedians

• Fir Bolg (Belgae?)-dispersed to the west and isles.

• Tuatha Dé Danann

• The Milesians (The Sons of Mil, the Gaels)

The two Battles of MoyturaThe two Battles of Moytura

• The first battle concerns the Fir Bolg and the Tuatha Dé Danann and how the former were defeated and dispersed in the west of Ireland and in the isles.

• The Second Battle is of much greater importance in Irish Mythology and brings in all the Tutha Dé Danann and the god Lug for the first time.


• The narratives are also influenced by Biblical learning about the Old Testament.

• The narrative as a whole sets the scene for the first of the major cycles of Irish writing: The Mythological Cycle.

• The key-text is Cath Maige Tuired (The Battle of Mag Tuired/Moytura.


• A detailed outline of the various invasions as well as the two Battles of Moytura in Myths and Legends of the Celts (James MacKillop) pp127-149.

• All of the members of the Tuatha Dé Danann play a role in the narratives about these two mythological battles.


• In particular we hear about Lug Lámfhota, a major deitiy of the Irish, and of the British and European Celts of the Iron-Age (pre-Roman).

Lug LLug Lámfhotaámfhota

In Old Irish – Lug:

• Light

• Brightness

Lámfhota:

• Long-armed

• Long-handed

Lug LLug Lámfotaámfota

• Chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann

• Hero of the Mythological Cycle

• One of the three great heroes in Irish tradition along with Fionn mac Cumhaill and Cú Chulainn

• The supernatural father of Cú Chulainn (Ulster Cycle)

Lug LLug Lámfotaámfota

• Lámfhota (long-armed) because he has the ability to hurl a weapon or use a sling over long distances

• Sometimes caled Samildánach meaning that he possesses arts, crafts and trades

• Much of his story is told in the Cath Maige Tuired (The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Moytura).


• His Welsh (ie Celtic British) counterpart is Lleu Llaw Gyffes meaning light of the sure/steady hand

• Lug shares a divine origin with Fionn and Cú Chulainn, and is sometimes seen as the alter-ego of CC.

• Gaulish counterpart is Mercury described, like Lug, as being a master of all the arts


• Mercury also known as Lugos/Lugus

• In place name lore (dindsheanchas), lugos/Lugus gives his name to Leiden, Lyon, Liegnitz

• The Roman Emperor Augustus inaugurated a festival on the first of August in Lyon, a forerunner of the Irish August festival, Lughnasa


• Similar in being long-armed to the Indian god, Savitar, “of the wide hand.”

• Linked with the Indian Varuna and the Norse Odin for their use of magic


Conception & Birth:His grandfather, Balor of the Formorians,was told he would be killed by his grandsonso he tried to keep his daughter,Eithne,awayfrom men.Cian, the son of Dian Cécht, (a leadingfigure of the TDD, the healing god) seducesEithne and she conceives triplets.


Conception & Birth:

Two of the triplets were either drowned or

turned into seals, leaving Lug as the only

surviving baby

Fostered by the sea-god Manannán mac Lir

(son of the sea)


Fosterage

Training of sons and daughters by a

powerful patron that is not a family member.

This practice survived in Gaelic Scotland

until the 18th century. Children were fostered

at the age of 7 until the age of 14 for girls

and 17 for boys

LughLugh

• In a famous scene from Irish mythology, Lugh arrives at the gates of Tara with a retinue of fellow warriors.

• In a typical scene, they are questioned by the doorkeepers (Camel and Gamel).

• Lug is required to say who he is and who his kin are (in Celtic fashion).

Cath Maige TuiredCath Maige Tuired

• He recites his lineage (presumably revealing he is Balor’s grandson!) and who his fosterers are. He asks if the king (Nuadu) needs a carpenter/smith/champion/harpist/warrior/poet/historian/sorcerer/physician/cupbearer/brazier.

• In each case he is given the answer that the king already has one in his court.

Cath Maige Tuired: LugCath Maige Tuired: Lug

• Lug’s final challenge is to ask whether the king has someone who possesses all these abilities (arts).

• The doorkeeper announces at one ‘samindánach’ (master of all arts) is at the door, and has come to help Nuadu’s people. (Caesar: omnium inventorem artium); Welsh tradition: Lleu is of the skillful hand).

• To prove his point Lug, Lug defeats all comers at the Celtic chess game known as fidchell, plays a magical harp..


• Described as youthful, handsome and athletic

• To gain admittance to Tara, Lug describes himself as a builder, smith, champion, harper, warrior, poet, historian magician, physician, cup-bearer, craftsman in metal

• The King, Nuadu, therefore gives his throne to Lug


Lug is credited with inventing fidchell,

(something like chess), considered to be the

board game of Kings.

He is also believed to have brought horse

racing to Ireland.

His constant companion is his lapdog, Failinis who

shines like the sun on a summer day and before

whom every wild beast falls to the earth powerless


Christianization:

Early Celtic Christians associated Lug with

the archangel, Michael, for his victory over

the Formorians.

The archangel, Michael, was the captain of

the heavenly army that defeated Lucifer.

The Two Battles of Maige The Two Battles of Maige TuiredTuired

►Attributed to a flat expanse of land near Attributed to a flat expanse of land near the west shore of Lough Arrow in the west shore of Lough Arrow in County SligoCounty Sligo

►A second expanse of flat land, still A second expanse of flat land, still called the Plain of Moytura lies in called the Plain of Moytura lies in southern County Mayosouthern County Mayo

► If the place name is translated as the If the place name is translated as the Plain of Pillars then archaeological Plain of Pillars then archaeological evidence favours the SLigo site where evidence favours the SLigo site where an upright stone column once stoodan upright stone column once stood

The Two Battles of Maige The Two Battles of Maige TuiredTuired

►The First battle of Maige Tuired look The First battle of Maige Tuired look place at place at BeltaineBeltaine (May 1 (May 1stst, first day of , first day of summer)summer)

►The Second took place at The Second took place at SamhainSamhain (November 1(November 1stst, first day of Celtic year), first day of Celtic year)

►Text found in the Lebor GabText found in the Lebor Gabála (12ála (12thth century text)century text)

The First Battle of Maige The First Battle of Maige TuiredTuired

►The First Battle of Maige Tuired is the The First Battle of Maige Tuired is the invasion of Ireland by the Tuatha Dinvasion of Ireland by the Tuatha Dé é Danann when they defeated the Fir Danann when they defeated the Fir BolgBolg

►Nuadu, King of the TDD, loses his arm Nuadu, King of the TDD, loses his arm in the battle. The healing god, Dian in the battle. The healing god, Dian Cécht, makes him a new arm of silverCécht, makes him a new arm of silver

►With only one arm, Nuadu is blemished, With only one arm, Nuadu is blemished, and no longer fit to be king, so the and no longer fit to be king, so the kingship goes to Breskingship goes to Bres


The (Second) Battle of The (Second) Battle of MoyturaMoytura

The Second Battle of Maige The Second Battle of Maige TuiredTuired

►The second battle is between the now The second battle is between the now dominant TDD and the resurgent dominant TDD and the resurgent FomoriansFomorians

►The two principal combatants are Lug The two principal combatants are Lug of the TDD and Balor of the Fomoriansof the TDD and Balor of the Fomorians


►King Bres’ father, although raised with King Bres’ father, although raised with the TDD, was a Fomorianthe TDD, was a Fomorian

►Bres is oppressive and lets the country Bres is oppressive and lets the country fall under the sway of the Fomoriansfall under the sway of the Fomorians

►Bres is ungenerous and treats other Bres is ungenerous and treats other gods (like the Dagda) poorlygods (like the Dagda) poorly

►At the request of the TDD leaders, Bres At the request of the TDD leaders, Bres gives up his kingship but musters a gives up his kingship but musters a Fomorian army to support himFomorian army to support him


►Nuadu is reinstated as KingNuadu is reinstated as King►Then Then LugLug arrives at the gates of Tara arrives at the gates of Tara

possessing his many artspossessing his many arts►Nuadu relinquishes his throne so that Nuadu relinquishes his throne so that

Lug can lead the TDD in battleLug can lead the TDD in battle►Under Lug’s direction, the craftsmen at Under Lug’s direction, the craftsmen at

Tara fashion wondrous weapons and Tara fashion wondrous weapons and sorcerers practise magic to use in battlesorcerers practise magic to use in battle


►All of the Tuatha De Danann are All of the Tuatha De Danann are conscripted into Lug’s army to withstand conscripted into Lug’s army to withstand the Fomorians.the Fomorians.

►The craftsmen: Goibniu, Dian Cécht, The craftsmen: Goibniu, Dian Cécht, Luchta, Ogma, Credne, as well as Luchta, Ogma, Credne, as well as

►The Morrigan, Cairpre (the satirist), The Morrigan, Cairpre (the satirist), druids anddruids and

►The Dagda (he is wounded by Caitlin, The Dagda (he is wounded by Caitlin, wife of Balor).wife of Balor).

►Lug fights as a sorcererLug fights as a sorcerer


►When the battle is enjoined, the TDD When the battle is enjoined, the TDD have an advantage with Dian Chave an advantage with Dian Cécht écht (the healing god) who raises the war (the healing god) who raises the war dead to lifedead to life

►Lug also gives the TDD an advantage Lug also gives the TDD an advantage by using his powers of magic and by using his powers of magic and sorcerysorcery


►Balor, the leader of the Fomorians is a Balor, the leader of the Fomorians is a formidable enemyformidable enemy

►His baleful gaze can destroy an armyHis baleful gaze can destroy an army►Sometimes known as Balor of the Sometimes known as Balor of the

Baleful EyeBaleful Eye►His eyelid is so mighty that it takes His eyelid is so mighty that it takes

four men to lift it (note comparison four men to lift it (note comparison with Ysbaddaden in Culhwch & Olwen)with Ysbaddaden in Culhwch & Olwen)


►Lug puts a sling-shot stone through Lug puts a sling-shot stone through Balor’s eye which crashes through his Balor’s eye which crashes through his head and exits at the back of his skull, head and exits at the back of his skull, killing 27 Fomorians in the processkilling 27 Fomorians in the process

►The Fomorians are expelled from The Fomorians are expelled from Ireland foreverIreland forever


►Bres is captured and tries to win Bres is captured and tries to win favour by promising the TDD cattle will favour by promising the TDD cattle will always have milk and that they will always have milk and that they will always have good harvestsalways have good harvests

►The TDD reject Bres’ offer but spare The TDD reject Bres’ offer but spare his life for giving good advice on the his life for giving good advice on the right times to plough, sow and reapright times to plough, sow and reap


►The MThe Mórrígan announces the end of órrígan announces the end of the battle, andthe battle, and

►Badb, the war goddess makes a Badb, the war goddess makes a prophecy of the end of the worldprophecy of the end of the world

The significance of the battleThe significance of the battle

► Georges DumGeorges Duméézil and the Rees brothers zil and the Rees brothers (Alwyn and Brinley).(Alwyn and Brinley).

► A primeval battle between the gods and A primeval battle between the gods and their adversaries occurs in other their adversaries occurs in other mythologies, and there are striking mythologies, and there are striking similarities between the stories told of these similarities between the stories told of these conflicts by the ancient Indians, conflicts by the ancient Indians, Scandinavians and Greeks, and other Scandinavians and Greeks, and other peoples whose languages are derived from peoples whose languages are derived from Indo-European.Indo-European.


► In northern Indian tradition the battle is In northern Indian tradition the battle is fought between two Indian groups the fought between two Indian groups the Devas (the ‘gods’) and the Asuras. It has Devas (the ‘gods’) and the Asuras. It has been stated that this is the basic theme of been stated that this is the basic theme of Vedic tradition.Vedic tradition.

► The Asuras were malevolent beings (cf the The Asuras were malevolent beings (cf the Fomorians). In that same tradition both the Fomorians). In that same tradition both the Asuras and the Devas are kinsmen (note the Asuras and the Devas are kinsmen (note the mixed background of both Lug and Bres).mixed background of both Lug and Bres).


► In Scandinavian tradition (mainly In Scandinavian tradition (mainly recorded in medieval Iceland), the recorded in medieval Iceland), the disstinction is made between two disstinction is made between two races of deities: the Vanir and the races of deities: the Vanir and the Aesir who also engage in a mythic Aesir who also engage in a mythic battle. (the battle. (the Edda Edda of Snorri Sturluson). of Snorri Sturluson).


►An early theory about the significance An early theory about the significance of the battle emphasized the episode of the battle emphasized the episode where Lug kills Balor and saw in this where Lug kills Balor and saw in this the displacement of an older deity by the displacement of an older deity by a younger one in some undatable a younger one in some undatable period in pre-Christian Ireland.period in pre-Christian Ireland.


►Certainly, the Second Battle seems to Certainly, the Second Battle seems to have been interpolated (inserted) into have been interpolated (inserted) into the longer narratives about the various the longer narratives about the various conquests of Irleland, but that it was a conquests of Irleland, but that it was a text which was of enormous text which was of enormous importance in early medieval Irish importance in early medieval Irish culture (and perhaps earlier).culture (and perhaps earlier).

The Fomorians (Fomhoire)The Fomorians (Fomhoire)

►The Fomorians appear prominently in The Fomorians appear prominently in the action of the the action of the Second Battle of Second Battle of MoyturaMoytura. .

►They are portrayed as malevolent They are portrayed as malevolent beings, monstrous and fearsome.beings, monstrous and fearsome.

►Each are described as having one eye, Each are described as having one eye, one arm and one leg, although later in one arm and one leg, although later in the BII material they seem more the BII material they seem more completely anthropomorphic.completely anthropomorphic.

The Fomorians (Fomhoiri)The Fomorians (Fomhoiri)

►The Fomorians do not appear as The Fomorians do not appear as settlers of Ireland (in the context of settlers of Ireland (in the context of the LG), but rather make raids on the the LG), but rather make raids on the mainland from the sea and their mainland from the sea and their fortress on Tory Island (off Co Donegal, fortress on Tory Island (off Co Donegal, NW Ireland).NW Ireland).

The Fomorians (Fomhoiri)The Fomorians (Fomhoiri)

► Scolars today tend to see the Fomorians as Scolars today tend to see the Fomorians as ‘euhemerized’ sea-deities, pre-Christian in origin ‘euhemerized’ sea-deities, pre-Christian in origin but which came to be seen later as demonic but which came to be seen later as demonic humans.humans.

► Etymologically the name means ‘under the sea’.Etymologically the name means ‘under the sea’.► Individual Fomorians are particularly loathsome, Individual Fomorians are particularly loathsome,

especially especially Balor of the Baleful Eye.Balor of the Baleful Eye.► His gaze is lethal: he never opens his one eye His gaze is lethal: he never opens his one eye

except on the battle-field, where four men are except on the battle-field, where four men are needed to lift his eyelid.needed to lift his eyelid.

► Any individual or army looking at the eye are made Any individual or army looking at the eye are made powerless.powerless.


►The story of the second battle of The story of the second battle of Moytirra can be reduced to two basic Moytirra can be reduced to two basic levels of plot:levels of plot: The struggle between two supernatural The struggle between two supernatural

races on the one hand (the Tuatha De races on the one hand (the Tuatha De Danann and the Fomorians)Danann and the Fomorians)

The killing of a tyrant by his prophesied The killing of a tyrant by his prophesied grandson on the other. (This is the myth grandson on the other. (This is the myth of Lugh).of Lugh).

The arrival of the Sons of MilThe arrival of the Sons of Mil

► This was the last invasion in the Lebor This was the last invasion in the Lebor Gabala. The LG suggests that they arrived in Gabala. The LG suggests that they arrived in Ireland via Spain. They defeat the Tuatha Dé Ireland via Spain. They defeat the Tuatha Dé Danann but neither the LB nor the Second Danann but neither the LB nor the Second Battle of Moytura text explain what Battle of Moytura text explain what happened to them.happened to them.

► For this we have to turn to the text of Mesca For this we have to turn to the text of Mesca Ulad (The Intoxication of the Ulstermen) Ulad (The Intoxication of the Ulstermen) p190. (p190. (Early Irish Myths and Sagas)Early Irish Myths and Sagas)..

Next WeekNext Week

Text: Early Irish Myths and SagasText: Early Irish Myths and Sagas

September 29September 29

The Wooing of Etain, P. 37-59The Wooing of Etain, P. 37-59

October 1October 1

The Dream of Oengus, P. 107-112The Dream of Oengus, P. 107-112

The Labour Pains of the Ulaid and The Twins ofThe Labour Pains of the Ulaid and The Twins of

Macha, P. 127-129 Macha, P. 127-129

The Mythological Cycle Today we will continue out investigation into the early Irish deities...

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