The Christianization Process of the Celtic Otherworld and Irish Sea-Gods in the "Navigatio Sancti Brendani"

  • Fausto Iannello Università degli Studi di Messina
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_ILUR.2011.v16.6
Keywords: Early Medieval Irish Christianity, Navigatio Brendani, Immrama, Echtrai, Brendan of Clonfert, Barinthus, Islands of Blessed, Celtic Otherworld, Irish sea-gods, Manannán, Mongán, Christian Eschatology.

Abstract

This paper considers and analyzes specific Celtic pagan elements in the Navigatio sancti Brendani, above all through the comparison with the traditional epic genre of the immrama and the echtrai. The purpose is to demonstrate the continuity of some Irish traditional religious concepts on eschatology and otherworldly visions in those texts, particularly in the religious functions expressed in saint Brendan, saint Barinthus and Celtic sea gods Manannán and Mongán. Through the observations which have been carried out, one may agree that this functional continuity is not based on a passive reception work, but it is generated by a authentic effort of understanding the crucial elements which have determined the originality and the substance of the eschatological structure in the Navigatio.

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Author Biography

Fausto Iannello, Università degli Studi di Messina
Dipartamento di Studi Tardoantichi, Mediavali e Umanistici

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How to Cite
Iannello F. (2011). The Christianization Process of the Celtic Otherworld and Irish Sea-Gods in the "Navigatio Sancti Brendani". ’Ilu. Revista de Ciencias de las Religiones, 16, 127-151. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_ILUR.2011.v16.6
Issue
Vol. 16 (2011)
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Articles

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