Alaunus

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Alaunus, also known as Alaunius, is an ancient Gaulish god known from inscriptions in Lurs in southern France and in Mannheim, western Germany. His name, Alaunos, comes from a Proto-Celtic form *Alamnos, which is also seen in the ethnonym Alauni from Noricum. The exact meaning is uncertain. Traditionally, it’s been connected to the root *al- meaning “to feed or nurture,” giving the idea of “the Nourishing One.” This view links Alaunos to Latin alumnus (“nursling”) and to river names like Almus and Yealm. Another scholar, Xavier Delamarre, suggests a root meaning “to wander,” which would fit both rivers and the idea of nomads, contrasting with the ethnonym Anauni, “the Staying Ones.”

The name Alaunos appears in many place and river names across Europe, such as Aln in Northumberland, Alun in Wales, and Allamps in Meurthe. A feminine form, Alauna, is found in Alleaume (Manche) and several Allonnes in France.

Near Lurs, researchers think there was an ancient sanctuary to Alaunius at the site of Alaunium (today the Chapel of Notre Dame des Anges), indicated by a reused inscription. Barruol and Martel suggest the original cult site may have stood on the nearby Pied d’Aulun before moving closer to a main road as it became important in Roman times under Augustus. This idea is supported by a link between Alaunius and Mercury—the road god—in the Mannheim inscription Genius Mercurii Alauni. The Alounae divinities are also attested near Salzburg.