Belenus

After that, druids drift into anecdote, and in 4th century Bordeaux, the poet Ausonius wrote memorial verses for the professors of the city's schools.

He notes that one professor came from Druid stock in the Bayeux region, if the story could be trusted, and that the temple keeper of the god Belenus was also of Druid ancestry.

It's important to note that these men were Roman citizens and likely considered themselves to be just as Roman as someone born in the Eternal City itself.

They may have been of Gallic or partial Gallic ancestry, but spiritually, they were Romans.

Herodotus says the fetters were still hanging in Tygeia's temple of Athena Alea in his day.

Some six centuries later, the travel writer Pausanias found them hanging there too, minus the ones that had rusted away, appearing to confirm this narrative.

So Sparta, defeated, went back to Delphi and asked which god it needed to win over, and the answer was that they had to bring home the bones of Orestes, son of Agamemnon.

Every Greek knew the name.

Um-

Um-I'd say, bef- before we start, he'll take off his triquetra and say, "You know, may Belenus, Dagda, and Taranis bless you on this path," and touch you on the shoulder.

You get plus two to whatever roll you're about to make, 'cause he's got blessing talent.

Nice.

Mm.

And, um, yeah, Michael, I feel, is more [lips smack] stern than Belenus.

Belenus, I feel like, is this kinda Aslan, King Arthur, lov- like a kinda lovely- A bit softer.

Like if you had your grand-

Like Julie

Mm.

He's a bit more like the posher, stern one.

[laughs] Whereas it feels like Belenus is more like grandad.