Rudianus is known from inscriptions found at four sites
in France, namely: Hyères in the Var and Cabasse in the Var, Saint-Genis, Saint-Etienne (both in the Drôme). In the latter
three sites Rudianus is assimilated with Roman Mars by interpretato Romana and invoked as Mars Rudianus. At Saint-Michel-de-Valbonnein
the Var an inscription to this deity was found as well as a menhir (which might date from the 6th century BCE) incised figure
of a large-headed horseman riding-down five severed heads. This image may represent Rudianus himself, though without direct
epigraphic evidence the association can only be inferred.
Rudianus' name can be derived from the reconstructed proto-celtic
element *roudo- (red) or *rud- (redden) and *jantu- (zeal) with the Latinized masculine ending
us; giving us 'He of the Red Zeal', or perhaps a better epithet would be 'He of the Red [Battle] Frenzy'. This would
make Rudianus a 'bearsark', a berserker, one upon whom the red mist of rage descends in battle; the epitome of a warrior god.
In this respect Rudianus' association with the Saint-Michel-de-Valbonnein statue would make some sense, the heads of enemies
being the ultimate battle trophies in war. Etymologically the name Ruadianus is related to those of the Irish deities Ruadán
and Ruadchoin. In this context, however it is the Ruadchoin that interests us. Three heroes of the UíBriúin
from Cuala in Leinster bore this name. During their attack on the Hostel of Da Derga (where the high king, Conaire
Mór journeyed in spite of warnings of impending doom. As a result he breaks all the geise [taboos] laid upon him
and his fate is sealed) they are said to command twelve-score men apiece and a 'frenzied troop'. This troop thies this triple-deity
directly to the meaning of Rudianus' name and illuminates an aspect of the native Celtic 'Mars' as the bearer of the 'red
frenzy of battle'.
The association of the Celtic war god with the colour red is also bourne-out
by the deity Mars Cocidius whose name can be interpreted as: The Red One. Red, obviously is the colour of blood;
however, it is also the colour of the battle rage of the true warrior.
(Source: http://www.celtnet.org.uk/gods_r/rudianus.html)
My Experiences (DISCLAIMER: This is here below is my personal
experiences on my God of War.)
In my experiences in the military, I have come to know this god very well.
A shadowy personna, assimilated to Mars, and with vivid descriptions of the red hue make this god a potent deity. In my few
years of connecting and honoring him, his personality has proven to be a powerful guide in the thickest of situations - both
in uniform and out of.
A potent meditation to him is weapons cleaning, knife sharpening, and weapon
naming. I have sensed the berserker type with him, a war fury that cannot be tamed until the rage has been satisfied. But
it's not an indiscriminate lust, but an art form - a sharpened weapon I suppose you could say.
But be warned: He isn't a god for the faint of heart. He demands much, if
you devote your time and honor him. He has no compassion for the lazy, half-hearted, and especially the cowards. I have never
asked for mercy, so I do not know if he is the type of god to give this. I do not think he is a cruel god, but not one of
the "knightly" or romantic notions. No, this is a god covered in blood, who will sit on the corpses after a battle and
scream his victory. He looks out for his people, and will not let them be until he is certain they can defend themselves
in the very least. He has no time for weakness either.
For now, this will have to do. I am pressed for time, and I'll post more
when I return. I leave you with a poem I wrote in the month of May:
Blood on his sword,
Sweat on this shield,
He conquered them all;
Left them dead on the battlefield.
He rides down hard,
Rage screams for more;
All hail Rudianus!
The Red God of War.
