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- Title
Bringing up boys: four Old Irish terms, Cú Chulainn's two early birth-tales, and Celtic pederasty.
- Authors
Mustermann, Max; McCone, Kim
- Abstract
The article deals with the ancient Irish terms and social categories based on the upbringing of boys. It discusses the relationship between the different versions of the story of Cú Chulainn's birth and the etymological connection of some terms. The role and position of mac cóem are examined, and fosterage, the upbringing of children by other family members, is mentioned. The text also deals with kinship relationships in ancient Ireland and the relationship between a nephew and his maternal uncle or grandfather. It delves into the various versions of Cú Chulainn's birth story and notes that CCC II has relevant features regarding the theme of fosterage, nephew, and beloved son. It is speculated that CCC II is an expanded form of CCC I, but there are no obvious thematic reasons to support this. The narrative of Cú Chulainn's birth and fosterage is coherent in the various versions, and the birds are well integrated, reflecting a motif found in other stories. It becomes clear that Dechtire became pregnant by a resident of the supernatural dwelling where she stayed, giving the child a typical semi-mortal and semi-immortal heroic lineage. The question of fosterage was addressed in the narrative, and it was decided that Findchóem and Amorgin should raise the child. The text describes the story of Cú Chulainn, a boy who was supernaturally conceived and whose death paved the way for a semi-supernatural and semi-human conception. It is also mentioned that the boy was given the name Sétantae and later became known as Cú Chulainn. There are also discussions about the identity of Cú Chulainn's mother, whether she was the sister or daughter of Conchobor. It is speculated that the name of the father, Sualdaim, was derived from an expression like "well-fostered child." It is argued that the portrayal of the child abandoned by his mother as a kind of nephew of Conchobor and the Ulaid may possibly recall an early medieval Irish concept of Christ as the nephew of the Jews in particular and humanity in general. The text deals with various examples of group formation and collective upbringing of young men in different cultures. Examples from ancient Greece, ancient Persia, and ancient Ireland are mentioned. The importance of seafaring and piracy for these groups is also highlighted. Women also play an important role in these stories. The text discusses the significance of the term "fóesam" in ancient Irish texts. It also discusses the term "gormac," which is often seen as the son of a sister who is adopted by his maternal relatives. The text discusses the etymology of the Irish word "gor" and its usage in different contexts. The text discusses the terms "cumal senorbai," "gormac," and "mac-cóem" in the Irish legal system. The text deals with the term "mac-coem" in Irish and Welsh texts. The text discusses the use of the term "maicc cóima" in the 8th century and its meaning in relation to belonging to a group or class. The text examines the function of maccóem in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick and suggests that maccóem was usually a king's son.
- Subjects
IRELAND; IRAN; GREECE; ABANDONED children; MOTHERS; GROUP formation; YOUNG men; RELATIVES; JESUS Christ; INTERNET piracy; MOTHER-daughter relationship
- Publication
Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie, 2023, Vol 70, Issue 1, p131
- ISSN
0084-5302
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1515/zcph-2023-0006