In the localized practice of Celtic polytheism found in Great Britain, Sulis was a revered deity associated with the thermal springs at Bath, now part of Somerset. The Romano-British worshipped her under the name Sulis Minerva, indicating a dual persona; she was seen both as a nurturing mother goddess and a formidable force for delivering curses desired by her devotees.
Etymology
The precise origin of the name “Sulis” remains a topic of scholarly discussion, but one theory suggests it translates to “Eye” or “Vision,” possibly linked to the Old Irish term súil, meaning “eye” or “gap.” This may derive from a Proto-Celtic root sūli-, which itself might connect with various Indo-European terms related to the sun, such as the Homeric Greek ηέλιος and the Sanskrit sūryah, both translating to “sun.”
The Cult at Bath
Sulis functioned as the local goddess of the hot springs, which continue to supply the famous Roman baths in Bath, known then as Aquae Sulis, or “the waters of Sulis.” Her name predominantly appears in inscriptions found at Bath, with only a solitary instance recorded outside of Britain in Alzey, Germany. It is expected, given that many Celtic deities maintained their localized identities, often tied to specific features like springs or wells. The Greeks similarly linked their pre-Hellenic deities to specific places through unique epithets, while the Romans often overlooked these geographical associations, save for some Etruscan legacies and concepts like the genius loci, or protective spirit of a particular location. A cult statue depicting Sulis Minerva, fashioned from gilded bronze, appears to have suffered deliberate damage at some point in the later periods, potentially at the hands of barbarian intruders or Christian fanatics.
Inscribed Tablets
Approximately 130 curse tablets—most directed towards Sulis—have been discovered in the sacred springs at the Roman baths. Most of these inscriptions pertain to theft, whether of small amounts of money or personal items from the bathhouse. The use of a localized variant of Latin suggests that a significant number of these tablets originate from the indigenous populace. Written in a formal and somewhat legalistic style, the texts beseech Sulis to exact vengeance on known or unknown offenders until justice is served. Worshippers often request that Sulis afflict the perpetrators with various forms of distress—affecting their mental and physical well-being—until the stolen goods are returned, or until they are disposed of as deemed appropriate, often being offered to the goddess herself. One notable tablet, when translated, recounted how a man named Docimedis asked for the thief of his gloves to be struck with insanity and blindness as they entered the temple.
The tablets frequently employed encoded writing techniques, using backward lettering, reversed word order, and alternating line directions (boustrophedon). While most inscriptions from this era are in Latin, two pewter sheets inscribed in an unfamiliar language potentially resembling Brythonic are the only known examples of written records in that language.
Syncretism with Minerva
At Bath, a Roman temple was dedicated to Sulis Minerva, reflecting the melding of the two deities. Later mythographers surmised that Sulis also embodied aspects of wisdom and discernment. Sulis was not alone in this syncretic relationship; other goddesses like Senuna and Brigantia also displayed similarities with Minerva. The phenomenon of associating multiple Celtic deities with a single Roman counterpart was not uncommon, as demonstrated by the varied Celtic names linked with figures like Mars and Mercury. However, most Celtic goddesses typically resisted such amalgamations, making the relationship between Sulis and Minerva a notable exception. Numerous dedications to Minerva exist throughout Great Britain and continental Europe, generally lacking any Celtic equivalent or interpretation.
Solar Goddess
Scholars have interpreted Sulis as a solar goddess based on the etymology of her name and other elements such as connections to vision, community law, and attributes associated with light. Some researchers even propose she served as the primary solar goddess in Celtic mythology, with other names like Sulevia further substantiating her presence in various locations.
Contemporary Worship
Today, Sulis enjoys a following among Wiccan and Pagan practitioners. As recent as 1998, individuals have been known to leave offerings in the waters of the ancient Roman baths.
