BATH: THE SANCTUARY OF SULIS-MINERVA

ENGLAND

Sulis was a Celtic goddess with associations with the sun. The temple of Sulis was the highest-profile spring sanctuary in Britain, drawing in pilgrims not only from Britain but from overseas as well. The mineral springs here are unusual in being hot springs, and in being very prolific—a quarter of a million gallons a day.

The site began as a cult focus on the floor of the marshy valley in the Iron Age. Then, during the Roman occupation, it was lavishly developed, with Sulis hersef being identified with the Roman goddess Minerva, though the name of Sulis was invariably given priority: Sulis-Minerva. The Romans called the place Aquae Sulis, “The Waters of Sulis.”

The Roman engineers transformed the natural spring and its associated pool into a large rectangular ornamental pool, enclosed by a Greco-Roman-style temple. There were also subsidiary buildings, including baths. The temple dates from the time of Nero.

Visitors threw large numbers of coins and lead curse tablets into the pool. The coins were frequently deliberately damaged, to “kill” them so that they could travel across to the Otherworld: a practice that was common to other ancient cultures. Damaging grave goods would also have the practical value of rendering them worthless to potential thieves.

Sulis is mentioned in many of the dedications at Bath, and she was depicted there in a huge and imposing classical-style statue of gilded bronze; unfortunately only her magnificent head has survived.

BEWCASTLE

See Religion: War God.