According to The Lebor Gabála Érenn anyway, there are other proposed Chronologies for the various Semi-Legendary Kings of Ireland, but I think for this time period at least the LGE is the one I like the most.
Eochu Feidlech the father of Medb is said in the LGE to be contemporary with the Dictatorship of Julius Caesar.
Eterscél Mór is said to have reigned 5 or 6 years, been a contemporary of Augustus Caesar, and even more specifically the Birth of Christ. Now based on when the LGE was compiled the dividing point of BC/AD on the Gregorian Calendar is likely what's meant here rather than an accurate Nativity Date. And within Ireland he's contemporary with Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, Cú Roí of Munster and Ailill mac Máta of the Connachta (two of them were among the husbands of Medb). He's succeeded by Nuadu Necht who reigned about a year and was contemporary with Augustus Caesar and those same three other Irish Kings. He's followed by Conaire Mór who is again contemporary with those same figures, at least at the start, he reigned 30 years so if the Birth of Christ happened two kings earlier then the Passion likely happened before his reign ended.
After his reign was an interregnum of 5 years and then reigned Lugaid Riab nDerg. He is also referred to in the LGE as being a contemporary of Claudius Caesar. And he was the foster son of everyone's favorite Irish Lancer Cú Chulainn. What’s interesting however is that the Stone of Destiny at Tara didn’t roar for him like it did all his predecessors, which made Cu angry and so he struck it with his sword, and after this it never roared again except for one 2nd century King in some accounts. This being the first new High King Coronation following the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus makes this development fascinating. The Gospels say the Veil of the Temple in Jerusalem was torn when Jesus was on The Cross, and I’m one of many Christians who likes to connect that to the Talmud’s account of The Temple ceasing many of it’s supernatural functions 40 years before it’s destruction in AD 70 around AD 30. So here we have another religious site ceasing to function right after the time of Christ.
Scáthach being immortal and associated with some type of Underworld seems to be an invention of Fate/ Lore. In the Irish sources she and her sister Aife/Aoife were normal humans in Scotland, probably the Isle of Skye. Even though they were on Albion they were still far from Roman influence. It was early in the Reign of Claudius that Rome started conquering Britannia and they started way down south with the Cantiaci (Kent). They didn’t even begin expanding north of the Humber till AD 71 and never conquered Scotland. But since it’s popular to set Quasi Historical Fantasy stories in the context of the Roman conquest of Britain I wish this connection would be taken advantage of more, have some Briton warriors seeking to resist Rome travel north to be trained by Scáthach.
It seems like Fate/’s version of Medb merges her with The Morrigan, but I love it. A female character whose power specifically comes from her promiscuity, that’s more rare than you think. Your typical Femme Fatale/Vamp gains power from her ability to make men want to have Sex with her but often actually doing it is what causes her downfall. Medb’s Noble Phantasm is the Seed she’s absorbed from her many lovers and I think that’s pretty cool. She's a Rider because she rides Dick.
No comments:
Post a Comment