Belatucadrus
Belatucadros, a Celtic deity associated with war and protection, was worshipped primarily in northern Britain, particularly around Hadrian’s Wall.
During the Roman occupation, Belatucadrus was syncretized with Mars, the Roman god of war. This association likely appealed to both Roman soldiers stationed along Hadrian’s Wall and the native Britons. Inscriptions, including five specifically mentioning “Mars Belatucadrus,” suggest this combined deity was interpreted as “the fair shining one” or “the fair slayer,” possibly reflecting attributes of both Belatucadrus and Mars.
Around Hadrian’s Wall, archaeologists have unearthed roughly 28 inscriptions dedicated to Belatucadrus. These inscriptions exhibit various spellings, including Balatocadrus, Balaticaurus, and Blatucadrus, but all are believed to reference the same deity. The altars associated with these inscriptions are typically small and unadorned, suggesting veneration by soldiers and civilians of lower social ranks. Notably, Belatucadrus is never depicted alongside a female counterpart, and there are no confirmed artistic representations of him.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 