*H₂eryo-men is the hypothetical name given to a deity responsible for well-being and community in Proto-Indo-European religion, associated with the creation and upkeep of roads or paths, as well as healing and the establishment of marriage.
The term *h₂eryo-men originates from the noun *h₂eryos, which means "a member of one's own group" or "someone belonging to the community," in contrast to a foreigner. This root also leads to the Indo-Iranian *árya, meaning "noble, hospitable," and the Celtic *aryo-, which stands for "free man" (notably in Old Irish as aire, meaning "noble, chief" and in Gaulish as arios, "free man, lord").[1][2]
Another way to spell his name is Xaryomen.[3]
Later deities[]
In later traditions, descendant deities include the Vedic god Aryaman, noted in the Vedas for his connections to social and marital bonds. Similarly, the Iranian god Airyaman, referenced in the Gāthās, symbolizes the broader tribal community or alliance and is called upon in prayers against sickness, sorcery, and evil. The mythological narrative of Ireland's foundation mentions the hero Érimón as the first king of the Milesians (Ireland's mythical inhabitants) following his conquest of the island from the Tuatha Dé Danann, also reflecting on *h₂eryo-men's marital roles by providing wives to the Cruithnig (mythical Celtic Britons or Picts).[4] The Gaulish name Ariomanus, likely meaning "lord-spirited" and often used by Germanic chiefs, further illustrates the deity's influence.[2]
References[]
- ↑ Matasović, Ranko (2009) (in en). Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic. Brill. ISBN 9789004173361. https://books.google.com/books?id=YN_YPQAACAAJ.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Delamarre, Xavier (2003) (in fr). Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise: Une approche linguistique du vieux-celtique continental. Errance. ISBN 9782877723695. https://books.google.com/books?id=C3BKPgAACAAJ.
- ↑ "Ceisiwr Serith Main Page ->Proto-Indo-European Deities". https://www.ceisiwrserith.com/pier/deities.htm. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=ZXrJA_5LKlYC page 142-143