MaCaU&TER — Temair Brcg : Remains and Tradition* of Tuva 361 



In a word, this very interesting " footnote " preserves for ns the descrip- 

 tion of what was probably the most primitive rite of the whole series of 

 inauguration ceremonies. We think of the cults which centred in Phigaleia, 

 of the chthonic horse Poseidon who wooed Demeter in the form of a mare, 

 and whose taming is represented on certain gems. 1 The underlying idea is 

 the same in Arcadia as at Temair — the god of death must be Bubdued, before 

 he can begin to be a god of life. The Red Cow (if my suggested translation of 

 the curse be correct) would most likely have been also a chthonic animal-god. 



It may be asked why there is no mention of this singularly interesting 

 part of the ceremony in the tract Sil Chonairi. The reason probably is, that 

 it is not really part of the inauguration rite. It is the first action of the king 

 after his apotheosis. 



6.— The Gods and the Cults of Temair. 



"Seldom is the sovereignty gained without battles and conflicts; but in 

 the end it is beautiful and goodly." So said the hag, the impersonation of the 

 sovereignty of Ireland, to the youthful Niall, afterwards to be named from his 

 troop of hostages. The man, chosen by the dreams of him who has 

 assimilated the divine bull, made one with the divine horse, reborn, through 

 the stone monuments of the dead and doubtless deified druids, into a life 

 divine, has been led up to Fal. Fal has spoken and has accepted him. The 

 succession, broken by the untoward event of the natural death of the previous 

 king, has once more begun. The new king, no longer a man but a god, is to 

 enjoy his ofhee till a day shall come when a stronger man than he shall 

 arrive, to wrest the divine spark from him and to reign as god-king on earth 

 in his stead. 



Meanwhile he must carefully guard his divinity. The tract Tecosca Connate 

 sets forth the idea of kingly duty, as understood in the ninth century — founded, 

 doubtless, on older traditions. Its prescriptions can be divided into (a) common- 

 place morality, as firmness without anger, patience without strife, &c.; (h)</ 

 such as ivere special to the Irish organization, as hostages in fetters, manifold 

 sureties, fasting on neighbouring territories, exalting privileged persons, 

 forfeiture of sea-waifs, silken raiment; (d) duties as a swety of good crops, as 

 fertility during his reign, mast on trees, fish in creeks, earth fruitful. So the 

 Triads 2 count as the three qualifications of a king, treaties with other kings, 

 the Assembly of Temair, and abundance during his reign. Again, in the 



'See Mr. Cook's article on Animal Worship in the Mycenaean Age in Journal of 



Hellenic Studies, xiv, especially pp. 138-15U. 

 2 ToiUl Lectures, xiii, 20. 



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