Epona

Epona is a Celtic goddess associated with horses, fertility, and protection. Her name is believed to derive from the Proto-Celtic word for "horse," *epo*. Depictions of Epona often show her riding a horse, sometimes accompanied by foals or other equine imagery. She was particularly venerated by Roman cavalry and soldiers who encountered her cult across the Roman Empire, from Britain to the Danube. Altars and statues dedicated to her have been found in various Roman provinces, indicating her widespread worship.

The cult of Epona was popular among the military, likely due to the importance of horses in warfare and travel. She was seen as a protector of horses, ensuring their health and speed, and by extension, the safety and success of their riders. Beyond her association with horses, Epona was also linked to fertility and prosperity, suggesting a broader role as a benevolent deity. Some scholars interpret her as a psychopomp, a guide for souls to the afterlife, though this interpretation is less universally accepted. Her worship appears to have faded with the decline of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity.