Page:The Celtic Review volume 3.djvu/50

Rh Berkum, Matribus suis. The Matres that are qualified by local or other adjectives are distributed as follows: In the neighbourhood of Colonia Trajana (Xanthen) we have the Brittæ Matres, the Maxacæ matres, and the Arsacæ matres. One inscription is found on the Beeck, near Xanthen, and is dedicated Matribus Brittis; another found at Xanthen reads M(atribus) Brittis Max.-acis. Beyond this inscription there is no mention of Maxacæ matres. The Arsacæ matres are mentioned on an inscription at Xanthen in the words ‘Matribus Arsacis paternis sive maternis.’ In and near Cologne we have the Malvisæ, a group of goddesses commemorated in the terms ‘diabus Malvisis et Silvano’ at Cologne. The name as ‘Malvisis’ occurs also at Nieukerk in the Gelderland. The Matres Mediotautehæ are commemorated on an inscription at Cologne. The Ollogabiæ, like the Malvisæ, are nowhere called Matres. Their name occurs on two inscriptions, one at Castel, near Mainz. The other inscription on which the name occurs is now at Mainz. The name Ollogabiæ apparently means ‘All-seizing,’ from Ollos = Welsh Oll, and gab- = Welsh gaf- (in gaf-ael), and Old Irish gabim.

Another important name of group-goddesses in the Rhine district is that of Matronæ, a name widely used among certain German tribes, who are thought to have adopted the religion of the Gauls. This name was also a favourite one in Cisalpine Gaul. At Tetz, near Iülich, there is an inscription to the Matronæ Cantrusteihiæ, and there is also a similar inscription from Hoeylaert. near Brussels. The Gesahensæ Matronæ are mentioned on an inscription at Altenberg, near Cologne ; at Rödingen, near Iülich; and also on two inscriptions in conjunction with the Etrahenæ Matronæ at Rödingen and Bettenhofen. The Ascricinehæ Matronæ are mentioned on an inscription at Odenhausen, near Berkum, and, without Matronæ, on an inscription at Odendorf, near Euskirchen. On an inscription at Bürgel, near Sollingen, there is also an inscription to the Matronæ Rumanehæ et Maviaitinehæ. Near Cologne, too, we find an inscription to the Axsinginehæ Matronæ, and another at