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The Silures

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moss M
moss Aug 21, 2007 07:35:48
Replying to tjj

Borrowed this book awhile back its an interesting read, the celtic horse fittings were beautiful, and the Uffington White horse could be traced in the curvileanear design on some of the bronze fittings........

Searching for the Silures: The Iron Age in South-East Wales (Haunted Britain S.) by Raymond Howell (Paperback - 10 Nov 2006)

Silures, so it says on the web, maybe comes from the latin and means, as you say, People of the Rocks, because of the mountains of Wales.

Sulis (being the feminine).. Tombo did a marvellous essay on this one, but its no longer around.. Bob Stewart in The Waters of the Gap, gives the following Celtic explanation...
SUIL
Irish - it means an 'eye' or a hole
Gaelic - an 'eye' the centre ofa whirlpool, opening or orifice
Suileath - sharp sighted and knowing..
All of which tie in neatly with the sacred nature of the hot springs of Bath emerging from the underground.
If this is interpreted in a celtic fashion, than what you have is that this particular goddess of the underworld was also 'far-seeing' and 'knowing'. As a name it was also used by the romans because they also directly married celtic/roman god names (in their colonisations) within the environmental nature of the place.

Burl (not much help) says of of Silbury that it could refer to the 'the mound where willows grow' or could derive from 'Sigla' Old Norse boundary mark..... Tombo used the argument that Silbury was an 'eye' I think, so thats how he tied the Silbury/Suil up....

T tjj
tjj Aug 21, 2007 18:11:03
Replying to moss

Thank you Moss for your very interesting and courteous reply to my enquiry. I have made a note of the book you mentioned andwill see if I can borrow it from the library.

I am currently reading a little book by someone called Isabel Hill Elder (Forward by the late Lord Brabazon of Tara) entitled 'Celt, Druid an Culdee'. Although, it is of course subjective, the author writes with immense admiration for the pre-Roman Britons and portrays them as a civilised, hospitableand brave people - the envy of the Romans who were known for their cruelty and slavery.

You may find her view of Avebury of interest (to add to the other interesting but speculative theories).

"The great circle and temple known as Avebury ('Ambresbiri, the Holy Annointed Ones') is of special interest as the Westminster Abbey of ancient times, the last resting place of princes, priests and statemen, warriors, poets and musicians. One of the old Druids alluding to Avebury calls it 'The Great Sanctuary of the Dominion'.

(Apologies if you are already familiar with the above book).
best wishes
tjj