Ophiussa
Ophiussa is the ancient name given by the ancient Greeks to the Portuguese territory. It means Land of Serpents.
The expulsion of the Oestrimni people
The Roman geographer Rufus Festus Avienus, in "Ora Maritima",document from the 4th century, but inspired by ancient scriptures, one of which from the 6th century BC, documents "Oestriminis" (or the extreme west) and of the Oestrimni (a people that lived there from a long time). Avienus describes that the Oestrimni had to run away from their lands after an invasion of serpents. This could be a relation to, the Saephe or Ophis ("people of the serpents") and the Dragani ("people of the dragons") that came to that lands and formed what was known by the Greeks as Ophiussa. Some authors relate the Ophi people to druids and proto-Celts or to ancient Egypt. In a Egyptian tradition, refeers that the Egyptian "serpents" from Carnac or Luxor had emigrated to Europe.
Extract of "Ora Maritima". Reference to the expulsion of the Oestrimni.
Ophiussam ad usque. rursum ab huius litore
internum ad aequor, qua mare insinuare se
dixi ante terris, quodque Sardum nuncupant,
septem dierum tenditur pediti via.
Ophiussa porro tanta panditur latus
quantam iacere Pelopis audis insulam
Graiorum in agro. haec dicta primo Oestrymnis est
locos et arva Oestrymnicis habitantibus,
post multa serpens effugavit incolas
vacuamque glaebam nominis fecit sui.
Land of the Ophi
The Ophi people lived mainly in the interior mountains in Northern Portugal (including Galicia). This people worshiped the serpents, hence Land of Serpents. There have been some ancient archeological findings that could be related to this people or culture. Some believe that the dragon, symbol of the city of Oporto is related to this people, or to the Celts who later invaded the area who also could have been influenciated by the Ophi cult.
Ophi legend
There is a legend that on the Summer Solstice a maiden-serpent, a Ctonic Goddess, revels the occult treasures to the forest explorers. The city of Oporto was were this maiden would live. Festivities related to this goddess occurred during the Solstice, while for the rest of the year this maiden transformes into a serpent living under and between the rocks, where shepherds would take some milk from their sheep to give to her.
See also
External Links
- (in Latin)
- Serpent cult in the Ancient Word (in Spanish)
