Cunomaglus ("Hound Lord") is the epithet of a Celtic god identified with
Apollo
Apollo is one of the Twelve Olympians, Olympian deities in Ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek and Ancient Roman religion, Roman religion and Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, mu ...
.
A temple at
Nettleton Shrub in
Wiltshire
Wiltshire (; abbreviated to Wilts) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It borders Gloucestershire to the north, Oxfordshire to the north-east, Berkshire to the east, Hampshire to the south-east, Dorset to the south, and Somerset to ...
was dedicated to Apollo Cunomaglus, existing shortly after 69 AD, after which it developed into a major cult centre: a large shrine, hall, hostel, shops, and priest's house were built, demonstrating the wealth and popularity of the cult.
Diana and
Silvanus were also worshipped there, suggesting that Cunomaglus may have been a god of hunting. It is also possible the shrine may have been a healing sanctuary, since Apollo's main role as a Celtic god was as a healer, the site is close to water, and finds such as tweezers and pins may denote the presence of a curative cult.
The god's name is attested on an inscription found at the temple site in 1958. It reads: ''deo Apol, lini Cuno, maglo Co, rotica Iu, ti fil(ia) v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)''
See also
*
Romano-Celtic temple
A Romano-Celtic temple or is a sub-class of Roman temples which is found in the north-western Celtic provinces of the Roman Empire. It was the centre of worship in the Gallo-Roman religion. The architecture of Romano-Celtic temples differs from ...
References
{{Celtic mythology (ancient)
Gods of the ancient Britons
Hunting gods
Health gods