スメルトリオス
ガロ・ローマ時代の宗教では、スメルトリオス（Smertrios）またはスメルトリウス（Smertrius）はガリアとノリクム[1]で崇拝された軍神であった[2]。ローマ時代にはマールスと同一視されていた。彼の名前は女神ロスメルタと同じ語源を持ち、「供給者」または「提供者」を意味すると思われ、真の名前というよりはむしろ肩書きといえる。スメルトゥリタヌス（Smertulitanus）は、同じ神の異名かもしれない。
Smertrius is one of the Gaulish gods depicted on the Pillar of the Boatmen, discovered in Paris. Here is depicted as a well-muscled bearded man confronting a snake which rears up in front of him. The god brandishes an object which has usually been interpreted as a club but which rather resembles a torch or firebrand.
The normal interpretation of the god's attribute as a club has led to the identification, by modern scholars, of Smertrius and Hercules. Other evidence links Smertrius with the Celtic version of Mars: at Möhn near Trier, a spring sanctuary was dedicated to Mars Smertrius and his consort Ancamna. Coins found here indicate that there was a shrine here before the Roman period. Another Treveran inscription links Mars and Smertrius. Smertrius himself is known outside Gaul, for example on a fragmentary inscription at Grossbach in Austria.
References
- Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. Miranda Green. Thames and Hudson Ltd. London. 1997
