Nemetona
Nemetona, the protector of the sacred grove, was a revered Celtic goddess with roots in northeastern Gaul. Her name itself whispers of her domain – “she of the sacred grove.” These natural sanctuaries held deep significance for the Celts, and Nemetona was believed to watch over their purity and abundance.
She was likely the eponymous deity of the Nemetes tribe residing in northeastern Gaul. Her name, meaning “she of the sacred grove,” reflects her deep connection to these natural sanctuaries, which held immense spiritual significance for the Celts. Nemetona was believed to watch over the purity and abundance of these sacred spaces. Interestingly, surviving inscriptions often associate Nemetona with Mars, the Roman god of war, or the Romano-Celtic deity Mars Loucetius. This pairing hints at a possible expansion of her domain beyond the grove, potentially encompassing aspects of war and protection associated with Mars.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 