Naria

Etymology

The name Naria is thought to originate from the Gaulish nertos, strength. The epithet Nousantia could be a contraction of nauson, ship, and anatia, soul.

Extant depictions

Naria is mentioned only twice in known inscriptions from the Gallo-Roman era.

One, on a stone altar from Cressier, reads Nariae Novsantiae T. Frontin. Hibernvs V.S.L.M, that is: "To Naria Nousantia, Titus Frontinius Hibernus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow". The epithet "Nousantia" is otherwise unknown.

The other inscription is on the base of a statuette from the Muri statuette group. That inscription, Deae Nariae Reg(io) Arvre(nsis) Cvr(ante) Feroc(e) L(iberto), translates as: "The Aar area association dedicated this to the goddess Naria; the freedman Ferox served as curator."

The Muri statuette is also the only known depiction of Naria. It shows her in a long-sleeved dress and with a diadem in her hair. The hands which held her divine attributes are missing. This depiction of Naria follows a generic style then used in Italy mostly for depictions of the goddess of luck, Fortuna. This indicates that Naria might also have been conceived of as a goddess of good luck and blessings.

References

References

1. (2004). "Dictionnaire français-gaulois". SNELA La Différence.
2. ''[[Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum. CIL]]'' XIII: 5151.
3. Guillaume Roussel. "Nousantia - 6981". L'Arbre celtique.
4. ''CIL'' XIII: 5161.
5. Kaufmann-Heinimann, Annemarie. (2002). "Dea Artio, die Bärengöttin von Muri: römische Bronzestatuetten aus einem ländlichen Heiligtum". Chronos Verlag.