- Brian (mythology)
In Goidelic mythology, and especially in
Scotland , Brian was a pompous man who helpedCailleach rescueDeò-ghrèine . He was a son ofTuireann , and brother toIuchar andIucharba (these have many variant spellings).In
Irish mythology , the sons of Tuireann andDanand murderedCian , the father ofLugh , one of the greatest of theTuatha Dé Danann . They also dismembered his body and tried to cover up their crime. In recompense, Lugh made them quest all around the known world as far asPersia fetching magical weapons, which Lugh planned to use at the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh. They succeeded in obtaining all that Lugh demanded, but returned to Ireland desperately injured, pleading for Lugh to heal them; but the latter refused.In at least one version of this tale, Brian is actually the clever and subtle one, while his brothers Iuchar and Iucharba are bumbling and easily overawed by Brian. This tale of the Sons of Tuireann has sometimes been likened to an Irish
Argonautica . ["The Children of Tuireann". P.W. Joyce (translator). 1879. "Old Irish Romances." C. Kegan Paul & Co.]References
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