Celtic
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Photograph: An iron sword from Roman Gaul of the second century BCE to first century CE. The blade, with its bronze hilt, is heavily rusted and uneven.
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ArchiveCeltic · Weapon
Caladbolg
Caladbolg
When swung it lengthens like a rainbow and shears off the tops of hills.
- Owner
- The Ulster hero Fergus mac Róich
- Maker
- The fairy folk
- First record
- The Cattle Raid of Cooley1100
- Gallery
- Celtic
Notes on the photograph 3
Story
Fergus mac Róich was a former king of Ulster, driven from the throne, who fought for Connacht against Ulster. His sword Caladbolg was said to stretch out long like a rainbow when swung.
In the last great battle of The Cattle Raid of Cooley, Fergus swept through the Ulster army with Caladbolg. When his old comrade Cormac urged him to remember his homeland, Fergus turned the sword from men to hills and struck off the tops of the three hills of Meath.
Scholars regard Caladbolg as a name of the same root as the Welsh Caledfwlch, and so as Excalibur. The legend of a "shining sword" widespread in the Celtic world attached itself to different heroes in different places.
The object in the photo
The photograph shows Iron sword with bronze hilt(Roman, Gaul, ca. 2nd century BCE–1st century CE), a real museum object that evokes the legendary artifact.
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