Ogma

Ogma (Ogham) In Celtic mythology, orator, warrior of the Tuatha de Danann, Irish god of literature, eloquence, fertility, healing, poetry, prophecy, and war; husband of Etain; father of Cairbe, MacCecht, MacCool, MacGreiné, and Tuirenn.

He is also the fabled inventor of the Ogham alphabet, the earliest form of writing in Irish. The Latin alphabet is adapted to a series of twenty “letters” of straight lines and notches carved into wood or stone.

Ancient Roman writers identified Ogma with both Hercules and Mercury. On the Continent he was worshipped under the name Ogmios.

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow – Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante

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