Sanctuary of Epona

Epona was the Celtic goddess of horses and fertility, and her name is thought to come from a Gaulish word meaning 'great horse'. She was often depicted as a woman riding a horse side-saddle and accompanied by a foal, which represents her role as fertility goddess. She was eventually adopted into the Roman pantheon and her cult spread quickly across Europe among Roman cavalry, who saw her as their protector. Epona's role eventually expanded to be goddess of all those who worked with horses, as described in 'The Golden Ass' by Apuleus. This text also hints that small shrines to Epona were erected in stables and barns to protect their equine occupants.