# Condatis

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Celtic deity

**Condatis** ([Gaulish](/source/Gaulish): 'confluence') was an ancient [Celtic deity](/source/Celtic_mythology) worshipped primarily in northern [Britain](/source/Roman_Britain) but also in [Gaul](/source/Gaul). He was associated with the confluences of rivers, in particular within [County Durham](/source/County_Durham) in the [North of England](/source/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](/source/Mars_(mythology)).[b]

## Name

The [theonym](/source/Theonym) *Condatis* derives from the stem *condāt*-, meaning 'confluence', itself from [Proto-Celtic](/source/Proto-Celtic) **kom-dati-*, from an earlier **kom-dhh1-ti-* ('put with, put together', i.e. 'grouping, reunion').[2][3] According to [Xavier Delamarre](/source/Xavier_Delamarre), his name may originally have meant '(He of the) Reunion' or 'The Reunited (?)' rather than 'The Confluence', a meaning likely connected to mythological elements that have not survived.[4]

The stem *condāt*- is also attested in personal names, including *Condatus*, *Condatius*, and *Condatie*, as well as in toponyms such as *Condé*, *Condat*, *[Candé](/source/Cand%C3%A9)*, *[Conte](/source/Conte%2C_Jura)*, *Condes*, *[Candes](/source/Candes-Saint-Martin)*, *Cosnes*, *Condate* (the old name of [Rennes](/source/Rennes) and [Northwich](/source/Northwich)), [*Condom*](/source/Condom%2C_Gers), *Condéon* (both from **Condate-o-magos*), *Cond* (< **Condate-dunum*), *[Kontz](/source/Haute-Kontz)*, *Conz* ([Trier](/source/Trier)), and *Canstatt* ([Condistat](/source/Condistat)).[5][2]

## Cult

The [cult](/source/Cult_(religious_practice)) title is probably related to the place name *Condate*, often used in [Gaul](/source/Gaul) for settlements at the [confluence](/source/Confluence) of rivers.[6] The Celtic god *Condatis* is thought to have functions pertaining to water and healing.[7][8]

Roman altar-inscriptions to *Mars Condates* have been found near Roman forts in [County Durham](/source/County_Durham) in the [North of England](/source/North_of_England) that may suggest a 'confluence-deity' [cult](/source/Cult_(religious_practice)) and the possibility that river [confluences](/source/Confluence) may have been used as [pagan](/source/Paganism) [ritual sacrifice](/source/Sacrifice) or [human sacrifice](/source/Human_sacrifice) sites.[c][d][e]

## Archaeological evidence

### British Isles

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

The inscription *Mars Condates* is a [conflation](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/conflation#English) (joining) of deities:[f]

1. Roman god [Mars](/source/Mars_(mythology)) – god of war and father of Romulus, the founder of Rome.

1. [Gaulish](/source/Gaul) [deity](/source/Deity) Condatis – god of river confluences.

### Altar inscriptions (British Isles)

List of altars with inscriptions to *Mars Condates*:

Reference Inscription Translation Type Location Confluence Map [help 1] Ordnance Survey Mars Condates RIB 3500.[rib 1] D(eo) M(arti) |C̣on|[dati][rib 1] To the god Mars Condates...[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] Deo Marti |Condati V(alerius) |[P]rob[i]anus [pr]o |se et suis v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)[rib 2] To the god Mars Condates, Valerius Probianus for himself and his household willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.[rib 2] Altar Concangis (Roman Fort), Chester-le-Street. Cong Burn–Wear. [map 2] 427799_551264 Mars Condates RIB 1024.[rib 3] D(eo) M(arti) |Condati |Attonius |Quintianus | men(sor) eṿọc(atus) imp(eratum) |ex ius(su) sol(vit) l(ibens) a(nimo)[rib 3] To the god Mars Condates, Attonius Quintianus, surveyor, evocatus, gladly fulfilled the command by order.[rib 3] Altar High Coniscliffe village.[g] Piercebridge Roman Fort, Dere Street ? River Tees. [map 3] 420855_515627 Mars Condates RIB 731.[rib 4] [M]arti |Condati |Arponat|us v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)[rib 4] To Mars Condates Arponatus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.[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] d(eo) Marti |Condati |Cunoba|cha | p(osuit)[rib 5] To the god Mars Condates, Cunobacha set (this) up.[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](/source/Allonnes%2C_Sarthe) in France.

## References

### Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMacKillop2004100_1-0)** [MacKillop 2004](#CITEREFMacKillop2004), pp. 100.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelamarre2003123–124_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelamarre2003123–124_4-1) [Delamarre 2003](#CITEREFDelamarre2003), pp. 123–124.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMatasović2009204_5-0)** [Matasović 2009](#CITEREFMatasović2009), p. 204.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Delamarre, Xavier](/source/Xavier_Delamarre) (2021). *Noms de lieux celtiques de l'Europe ancienne (-500 / +500)*. Errance. p. 26. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-2-87772-787-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-2-87772-787-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENègre1990109–112_7-0)** [Nègre 1990](#CITEREFNègre1990), pp. 109–112.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Maier, *Dictionary of Celtic Religion and Culture*, p. 80.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Ross, Anne (1967). *Pagan Celtic Britain*. Routledge & Kegan Paul. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-902357-03-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-902357-03-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Jones, Barri & Mattingly, David (1990). *An Atlas of Roman Britain* (p. 275). Oxford: Basil Blackwell. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84217-067-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84217-067-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJames20204–5_11-0)** [James 2020](#CITEREFJames2020), pp. 4–5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOliver2012347_15-0)** [Oliver 2012](#CITEREFOliver2012), p. 347.

#### Web

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Cramond Vicus – The Gods of Roman Cramond"](https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/places/cramond/). Roman Britain. Retrieved 28 September 2024.

#### RIB

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_18-2) ["RIB 3500. Fragmentary altar dedicated to Mars Condates (?)"](https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/3500). *Roman Inscriptions of Britain*. Retrieved 28 September 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_21-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_21-2) ["RIB 1045. Altar dedicated to Mars Condates"](https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/1045). *Roman Inscriptions of Britain*. Retrieved 28 September 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_23-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_23-2) ["RIB 1024. Altar dedicated to Mars Condates"](https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/1024). *Roman Inscriptions of Britain*. Retrieved 28 September 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_26-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_26-2) ["RIB 731. Altar dedicated to Mars Condates"](https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/731). *Roman Inscriptions of Britain*. Retrieved 28 September 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_29-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:4_29-2) ["Brit.47.1. To the god Mars Condates, Cunobacha set (this) up"](https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/Brit.47.1). *Roman Inscriptions of Britain*. Retrieved 28 September 2024.

#### Maps

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["MAGiC MaP: Cramond Roman Fort"](http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?&xygridref=319090,676800&startScale=10000). Defra.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["MAGiC MaP: Cong Burn – River Wear confluence"](http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?chosenLayers=moncIndex&xygridref=427950,551570&startScale=10000). Defra.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["MAGiC MaP: High Coniscliffe"](http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?chosenLayers=moncPIndex&xygridref=422600,515300&startScale=25000). Defra.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["MAGiC MaP: Bowes village"](http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?chosenLayers=moncIndex&xygridref=399420,513430&startScale=10000). Defra.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["MAGiC MaP: Moulton, North Yorkshire"](http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?&xygridref=423550,503830&startScale=25000). Defra.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Magic_Help_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Magic_Help_17-1) MAGiC MaP – Help 1. Use *Table of Contents* for Colour mapping. 1. There may be intermittent problems with the [magic.defra.gov.uk](/source/Department_for_Environment%2C_Food_and_Rural_Affairs) website, if so then try again another time.

### Notes for citations

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MacKillop_Intro_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MacKillop_Intro_2-1) MacKillop – *Celtic Mythology*... **Condatis** ..."A god worshipped in Roman occupied Britain, much associated with the confluence of rivers...His shrines have been found between the Tyne and Tees rivers...His name is commemorated in many place names ...[1]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** See also: [Mars (mythology)](/source/Mars_(mythology)) - Name and cult epithets - Provincial epithets - [Celtic Mars](/source/Mars_(mythology)#Celtic_Mars) - Mars Condatis...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** SPNS – *Brittonic Language...* **Aber** ..."On the possibility that confluences and estuaries may have been pagan ritual sites...The altar-inscriptions to Condatis found in the Tyne-Tees region may be evidence of a 'confluence-deity' cult in that area ...[9]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** See also: [Paganism](/source/Paganism) ..."Ritual sacrifice was an integral part of ancient Graeco-[Roman religion](/source/Religion_in_ancient_Rome) and was regarded as an indication of whether a person was pagan or Christian...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** See also: [Persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire](/source/Persecution_of_pagans_in_the_late_Roman_Empire) ..."Despite official threats...paganism remained widespread into the early fifth century continuing in parts of the empire into the 600s...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Neil Oliver – *Ancient Britain*... ..."Twinning of gods and goddesses was a tactic the Romans employed all across the Empire ...[10]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Found at [High Coniscliffe](/source/High_Coniscliffe), which lies about 1.6 km. east of Piercebridge.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Found on the north side of the [main road](/source/Watling_Street) about 180 m. east of [Bowes fort](/source/Lavatrae).

## Bibliography

- [Delamarre, Xavier](/source/Xavier_Delamarre) (2003). *Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise: Une approche linguistique du vieux-celtique continental*. Errance. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9782877723695](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9782877723695).

- James, Alan G. (2020). ["The Brittonic Language in the Old North, A Guide to the Place-Name Evidence, Volume 2"](https://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary_2020_Edition.pdf) (PDF). [Scottish Place-Name Society](/source/Scottish_Place-Name_Society). Retrieved 1 October 2024.

- [MacKillop, James](/source/James_MacKillop_(author)) (2004). *Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology*. [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-860967-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-860967-1).

- [Matasović, Ranko](/source/Ranko_Matasovi%C4%87) (2009). *Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic*. Brill. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9789004173361](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9789004173361).

- Nègre, Ernest (1990). [*Toponymie générale de la France*](https://books.google.com/books?id=rsNpi7IVulEC) (in French). Librairie Droz. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-2-600-02883-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-2-600-02883-7).

- [Oliver, Neil](/source/Neil_Oliver) (2012). *A History of Ancient Britain*. [Weidenfeld & Nicolson](/source/Weidenfeld_%26_Nicolson). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0753828861](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0753828861).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Condatis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condatis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condatis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.