Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Armorica explained
The chapter recounts the conquest and colonization of Armorica by the Roman general Maximus and Conan of Wales, leading to the region being renamed Brittany and its language assimilating with Welsh.
What happens
The chapter recounts the conquest and colonization of Armorica by the Roman general Maximus and Conan of Wales, leading to the region being renamed Brittany and its language assimilating with Welsh. It describes the eventual blending of Romans with native Britons and the withdrawal of Roman armies, which left Britain vulnerable to barbarian invasions, setting the stage for the era of King Arthur. The chapter also references the myth of Albion, the giant, and his battle with Hercules, as mentioned in Spenser's Faery Queene.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Transmission and Education
The colonization of Armorica resulted in the assimilation of language and culture between the British colonists and the native population, highlighting the transmission of cultural identity.
Heroism and the Quest
The allusion to Hercules' battle with Albion the giant exemplifies heroic quests and the struggle against monstrous foes.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
The era of King Arthur begins after the Roman withdrawal from Britain.
- Vulcan
Alluded to as Hercules in the myth of Albion the giant.
Key passages
“The next event of note is the conquest and colonization of Armorica, by Maximus, a Roman general, and Conan, lord of Miniadoc or Denbigh-land, in Wales.”
The significant event that follows is the invasion and settlement of Armorica by the Roman general Maximus and Conan, the lord of Miniadoc (also known as Denbigh-land) in Wales.
Describes the key historical event of the chapter.
“The name of the country was changed to Brittany, or Lesser Britain; and so completely was it possessed by the British colonists, that the language became assimilated to that spoken in Wales, and it is said that to this day the peasantry of the two countries can understand each other when speaking their native language.”
The region was renamed Brittany, or Lesser Britain, and the British colonists settled so thoroughly that the local language merged with Welsh; even today, peasants from both areas can understand each other in their native tongues.
Highlights the linguistic and cultural assimilation resulting from the colonization.
“When at length the Roman armies were withdrawn from Britain, their departure was a matter of regret to the inhabitants, as it left them without protection against the barbarous tribes, Scots, Picts, and Norwegians, who harassed the country incessantly.”
When the Roman forces finally left Britain, the people regretted their departure because it left them defenseless against the constant attacks from barbarian tribes such as the Scots, Picts, and Norwegians.
Explains the vulnerability of Britain after the Roman withdrawal.
“For Albion the son of Neptune was; Who for the proof of his great puissance, Out of his Albion did on dry foot pass Into old Gaul that now is cleped France, To fight with Hercules, that did advance To vanquish all the world with matchless might: And there his mortal part by great mischance Was slain.”
Albion, the son of Neptune, crossed from his land on foot into ancient Gaul (now called France) to prove his great strength by fighting Hercules, who sought to conquer the world with his unmatched power; there, Albion's mortal body was unfortunately killed.
A poetic allusion to the myth of Albion and Hercules, as referenced in Spenser's Faery Queene.