the origin of the name Britain

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PeterH P
PeterH Nov 9, 2005 13:05:07
Replying to fitzcoraldo

"Brigantia was the local goddess."

I'm not sure - are you?

Yes, Brigantia is said to be the titular goddess of the Brigantes just as Britannia is said to be the titular goddess of Britain. But it's often the case that names are explained by inventing earlier names eg Britain is named after Brutus. Its all a bit chicken and egg

F fitzcoraldo
fitzcoraldo Nov 9, 2005 13:18:30
Replying to PeterH

The Iron age ain't really my bag but I believe that a number of shrines/altars dedicated to Brigantia have been found around the north of England.
Elgee discusses the possible meaning of Brigante as a hill dweller or highlander.
There were other Brigantes in Europe
Ptolemy records the Brixante and the city of Briantium just north of the modern cities of Grisons.
Strabo placed his Brigantii on the shore of Lake Constance. Ptolemy also put a group of Brigantes in south east Ireland, close to the River Barrow (Fluvius Bergus).