Editing Belenus (section)

=== Locations ===
[[Tertullian]], writing in c. 200 AD, identifies Belenus as the national god of Noricum. Inscriptions dedicated to Belenus are concentrated in the [[Eastern Alps]] and [[Gallia Cisalpina]], but there is evidence that the popularity of the god became more widespread in the Roman period.<ref name="GKK">{{cite book |last=Maier |first=Bernhard |title=Geschichte und Kultur der Kelten |year=2012 |place=C.H.Beck}}</ref> 

Around 240, [[Herodian]] mentions Belenus' worship in [[Aquileia]], where he was regarded as its patron god.{{Sfn|Aldhouse-Green|1997|pp=30–31}}{{Sfn|Šašel Kos|2022|p=228}} During the siege of the city in 238 AD by emperor [[Maximinus Thrax]], who died during the event while his army was defeated soon afterwards, Belenus was invoked as the divine protector of Aquileia.{{Sfn|Šašel Kos|2022|p=228}} The soldiers reported seeing an appearance of the god floating in the air, battling and defending his town, in an evocation of Apollo's defence of Delphi against the troops of [[Brennos]].{{sfn|Birkhan|2006|p=195}} Dedications to a ''Fons Beleni'' ('Fountain of Belenos') show connection with medicinal springs.<ref>{{harvnb|Schrijver|1999|p=24}}.</ref> The third-century emperors [[Diocletian]] and [[Maximian]] each dedicated an inscription to Belenus in the region of Aquileia. A further 6 votive inscriptions of Belenus were discovered at [[Altinum]], [[Concordia Sagittaria|Concordia]] and [[Iulium Carnicum]].<ref name="GKK" />[[File:Vasque-Bélénos.jpg|thumb|Bowl dedicated to Belenus ([[Marseille History Museum]]).]]Belenus was an important god of Iulium Carnicum (modern [[Zuglio]]), a town close to the border with Noricum inhabited by the [[Carni]]. A sanctuary dedicated to the deity is attested by the second half of the 1st century BC, when its renovation was commemorated by two chiefs of the village.{{Sfn|Šašel Kos|2022|p=228}} Epigraphic dedications to the god are also known in Venice and at Rimini.{{Sfn|Aldhouse-Green|1997|pp=30–31}} An altar was also found in Celeia (modern [[Celje]]), one of the most important Norican towns. The cult may have been introduced here from Aquileia, as suggested by the name of its dedicator, Lucius Sentius Forensis, the Sentii being well attested to at Aquileia, but not in Noricum.{{Sfn|Šašel Kos|2022|p=229}}
[[Ausonius]] (later 4th century AD) alludes to sanctuaries dedicated to Belenus in [[Aquitania]], and mentions a temple priest of the cult named Phoebicius. The deity was also popular in Provence, as attested by inscriptions from the [[Marseille]] and [[Nîmes]] areas.{{Sfn|Aldhouse-Green|1997|pp=30–31}} A votive inscription from Caesarean times by the poet Lucius Erax Bardus was found at Rochemolles, near Bardonecchia (Bardonnèche), in Italy ([[Alpi Graie]]).{{sfn|Birkhan|2006|p=195}} At Aquae Borvonis ([[Bourbon-Lancy]]), the [[Aedui]] worshipped Belenus in association with health giving waters.<ref name="MacKillop3">{{Harvnb|MacKillop|2004}}, s.v. ''Belenus''.</ref>