Adsulatta : The River Goddess

Adsulatta

Introduction

Adsullata was a river goddess in Balkan mythology associated with the River Savus in Noricum. She was also believed to be the goddess of hot springs and the creator of the sun goddess Sul. A goddess of hot springs who came from Celtic Gaul, she is believed to have been a minor sun Goddess before the time when Celtic deities relegated male deities to female ones.

We don’t have much to work with these types of deities. At first, they were protective deities, but it is difficult to tell if they had any link to justice or retribution.

Physical Traits

Adsalutta was said to be extremely beautiful with long dark hair which mimicked the ripples on the river surface.

Family

It was revealed that Adsalluta and Savus were a divine couple whose native names were retained. The god Adsalluta was worshipped by the Taurisci. She shared responsibilities with Savus, the god of the river, who also looked after the safety of the travellers and merchants using the river.

Other Names

Adsullata was also referred to as Adsalluta even after being adopted by other cultures.

Modern Day Influence

The Savus was the river that connected Italy to the Danube. It became a major portion of the amber route.

Neptune’s altar was located across the river from the Savus’ and the Adsalluata. This was a compromise that would allow the local deities to remain without being offended.

Many travellers found altars near Celeia, which is now Celje. There, they would find inscriptions to Adsalluta and to a local deity named Lavus. They also came across a few inscriptions to another deity named Siscia.

Sources

Wikipedia: Adsulatta – Wikipedia

Britannica: Adsulatta | Mythology – Britannica

“The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends and Heroes” by J.A. Coleman – Arcturus Publishing

“Gods and Myths of Northern Europe” by H.R. Ellis Davidson – Penguin Books

“The Celtic Gods: Comets in Irish Mythology” by Patrick McCafferty and Mike Baillie – Tempus Publishing

“The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends” by Peter Berresford Ellis – Robinson Publishing

“Celtic Myths and Legends” by T.W. Rolleston – Dover Publications

“Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales” by Alwyn Rees and Brinley Rees – Thames & Hudson