The theonymDamona is a derivative of theProto-Celtic stem*damo-, meaning 'bull' or 'deer' (cf. Old Irishdam 'bull, deer'; also *damato- > Middle Welshdafad 'sheep', Old Cornishdauat 'ewe'), itself fromProto-Indo-European *dmh2o- ('the tamed one'). The Latin noundamma, which is the source of Frenchdaim ('roe'), is probably a loanword fromGaulish. The root*dmh2- is also presumably reflected in the British tribal nameDemetae, interpreted as meaning 'Tamers'.[1][2]
Damona andBormana have been described as thepatron deities of the hot springs at Bourbonne-les-Bains and Saint-Vulbas, respectively.[3][4] Some seventeen inscriptions dedicated to Damona have been recovered, including nine fromBourbonne-les-Bains and four fromBourbon-Lancy, both spa towns in easternFrance. In one inscription fromSaintes, she has the epithetMatubergini.[5]
There are several inscriptions relating to Damona,[6] including two inscriptions in Bourbon-Lancy (CIL 13, 02805), discovered in 1792.
C (aius) Iulius Eporedirigis f (ilius) Magnus / pro L (ucio) Iulio Caleno filio / Bormoni and Damonae / vot (um) sol (vit)
and (CIL 13, 02806), where Damona is also included in dedications toBorvo, (CIL 13, 02807) and (CIL 13, 02808):
Borvoni and Damonae / T (itus) Severius Mo / destus [o] mnib (us) / h [o] n [orib (us)] and offi [ciis]
The other large site associated with Damona is Bourbonne-les-Bains, there are nine dedications to the goddess of the waters, including (CIL 13, 05911):
Deo Apol / lini Borvoni / et Damonae / C (aius) Daminius / Ferox civis / Lingonus ex / voto
and (CIL 13, 05914):
Borvoni / and Damon (ae) / Aemilia / Sex (ti) fil (ia) / M [3] S
with (CIL 13, 05921):
Damonae Aug (ustae) / Claudia Mossia and C (aius) Iul (ius) Superstes fil (ius) / l (ocus) d (atus) ex d (ecreto) d (ecurionum) v (otum) s (olverunt) l ( ibentes) m (erito)
Damona also appears in dedications to Chassenay, associated with Albius and Alise-Sainte-Reine. An inscription was found bearing Damona's name inAlesia in 1962, where she was worshipped with Apollo Moritasgus[7][8][9] (CIL 13, 11233):
Aug (usto) sacr (um) / deo Albio and Damonae Sex (tus) Mart (ius) / Cocillus ex iussu eius v (otum) s (olvit) l (ibens) m (erito)
and (CAG-21-01):
Deo Apollini Moritasgo [and] / Damonae P (ublius) Pontius Apolli [naris]
^William van Andringa (2002).La religion en Gaule romaine : Piété et politique (Ier-IIIe siècle apr. J.-C.) Editions Errance, Paris. p.165
^Nicole Jufer & Thierry Luginbühl (2001).Les dieux gaulois : répertoire des noms de divinités celtiques connus par l'épigraphie, les textes antiques et la toponymie. Editions Errance, Paris. pp.36-7.
