ACRED FUNCTION AND THE IMAGE OF WEAPON IN “TAIN BO CUAILNGE”

Abstract

The article describes the elements of a warriors’ cult and the facts of weapon socialization in Gaelic epic tradition of the first millennium AD. The images presented in the myth prove the idea that the cult of weaponry was a part of a warrior's tradition in Gaelic society of the early Middle Ages. That influenced the epic heroes’ behavior, and created special background for the development of military culture. The analysis of the source material allows to reveal archaic layers in mythology which connected ancient Celtic cult of weapons with Indo-European mythopoetical heritage and demonstrates the unity of military traditions in ancient Europe.