sulís

Sulis was a Celtic goddess worshipped in ancient Britain. Her primary sanctuary was located at Bath, in Somerset, England, where a natural hot spring was considered sacred. The Romans later associated Sulis with their own goddess Minerva, the deity of wisdom, crafts, and strategic warfare, due to the shared healing properties of the spring and the goddess's association with knowledge and prophecy. This syncretism led to the construction of a large temple complex at Bath, dedicated to the combined deity, Sulis Minerva.

Archaeological excavations at the Bath site have revealed numerous votive offerings, many of which are inscribed with curses directed at individuals who had wronged the supplicant. These inscriptions, often written on thin sheets of lead or pewter, provide valuable insights into the daily lives and beliefs of the people who worshipped at the shrine. The curses typically ask Sulis Minerva to inflict misfortune, illness, or even death upon the transgressors, demonstrating the goddess's perceived power and the personal nature of the worship.

The cult of Sulis appears to have been particularly strong in the southwestern region of Britain. While her worship predates Roman influence, the Roman presence significantly expanded and formalized the sanctuary at Bath, making it a major religious center. The exact nature of Sulis's powers beyond healing and her role in the pantheon remain somewhat debated among scholars, but her enduring presence at the sacred springs of Bath highlights her importance in the religious landscape of Roman Britain.