So why Setanta?
Setanta
06-05-2002, 11:36 AM
The question was asked, so I might as well answer.
In future, if anyone spots me drining more than one coffee a night then stop me - I'm hyped - must be certain bad influences around here :p
Ok, it's History based, oral tradition:
Ok, this is one that I always get asked. A lot of people use Cuchulainn online. I prefer Setanta as it's easier to register. It comes from a love of Celtic and Irish history and mythology. I studied The Tain bo Cuilange at Uni and found the tales fascinating.
Cuchulainn was the Achilles of Celtic legend. Like Achilles, he was an invincible hero but one who had a short life and whose fate was tied with the gods wishes. Where Achilles was the son of a sea goddess, Cuchulainn was the son of Lugh the Sun God and the beautiful Deirdre (the daughter of Cathbad - the druid of King Conchur Mac Nessa). Cuchulainn was originally named Setanta. His mother's husband Sualtam Mac Roth accepted him as his own son. Later, Setanta lived with his foster father Fergus Mac Roth (the former and true king of Ulster ousted by Conchur Mac Nessa). Here he made the oath with his foster brother Conall that each of the two brothers would take revenge upon anybody who might kill the other.
Cuchulainn was sent to train as a warrior at the age of seven (not an uncommon practice). While King Conchur was travelling to the feast of a famous smith named Culann, he saw Setanta playing a game in the practice fields. He was playing a game similar to hurley against 150 opponents of his own age and winning. When the King saw this performance, he asked Setanta to journey with him to the feast. Setanta promised to follow him when he had finished the game.
King Conchur arrived at the feast and forgot to tell his host Culann that the boy Setanta was yet to arrive. Culann therefore, sets his guard dog loose. The dog was a savage giant and insured that the smith's house was well guarded. When Setanta arrived at the house, he found the dog guarding it. The dog leaped at his throat and was about to kill him. The guests of the house looked out of the window and feared for Setanta's life.
However, Setanta hit his hurley ball at the dog at the last possible moment so that it hit the hound in the mouth and exited through the back of its' head.
The guests at the feasts came out and celebrated Setanta's survival but Culann was desolate fearing that since he no longer had his fearless guard dog, his house would no longer be safe. Setanta offered him payment for his loss. He offered that he would guard the house until and meanwhile train a new dog of the same breed. Culann refused the offer but the men who overheard called Setanta a new name: Cuchulainn - The Hound of Culann.
An incredible warrior who performed incredible feats of skill and bravery. As with all ancient warriors, he was marked as different to the norm. In Setanta's case, he would go into a 'warp-spasm' when in a battle-frenzy. The bones faced backwards inside his skin, one eye would sink into his head while the other would protrude right out and the hair on his head would stand on end with drops of blood at the tips. Anyone who has seen me lose it in the classroom will know just what I mean. Now if only I had the mythical Gae Bulga, Cuchulainn's guided missile-like spear that unerringly hit its' target, no matter how the person dodged.
In future, if anyone spots me drining more than one coffee a night then stop me - I'm hyped - must be certain bad influences around here :p
Ok, it's History based, oral tradition:
Ok, this is one that I always get asked. A lot of people use Cuchulainn online. I prefer Setanta as it's easier to register. It comes from a love of Celtic and Irish history and mythology. I studied The Tain bo Cuilange at Uni and found the tales fascinating.
Cuchulainn was the Achilles of Celtic legend. Like Achilles, he was an invincible hero but one who had a short life and whose fate was tied with the gods wishes. Where Achilles was the son of a sea goddess, Cuchulainn was the son of Lugh the Sun God and the beautiful Deirdre (the daughter of Cathbad - the druid of King Conchur Mac Nessa). Cuchulainn was originally named Setanta. His mother's husband Sualtam Mac Roth accepted him as his own son. Later, Setanta lived with his foster father Fergus Mac Roth (the former and true king of Ulster ousted by Conchur Mac Nessa). Here he made the oath with his foster brother Conall that each of the two brothers would take revenge upon anybody who might kill the other.
Cuchulainn was sent to train as a warrior at the age of seven (not an uncommon practice). While King Conchur was travelling to the feast of a famous smith named Culann, he saw Setanta playing a game in the practice fields. He was playing a game similar to hurley against 150 opponents of his own age and winning. When the King saw this performance, he asked Setanta to journey with him to the feast. Setanta promised to follow him when he had finished the game.
King Conchur arrived at the feast and forgot to tell his host Culann that the boy Setanta was yet to arrive. Culann therefore, sets his guard dog loose. The dog was a savage giant and insured that the smith's house was well guarded. When Setanta arrived at the house, he found the dog guarding it. The dog leaped at his throat and was about to kill him. The guests of the house looked out of the window and feared for Setanta's life.
However, Setanta hit his hurley ball at the dog at the last possible moment so that it hit the hound in the mouth and exited through the back of its' head.
The guests at the feasts came out and celebrated Setanta's survival but Culann was desolate fearing that since he no longer had his fearless guard dog, his house would no longer be safe. Setanta offered him payment for his loss. He offered that he would guard the house until and meanwhile train a new dog of the same breed. Culann refused the offer but the men who overheard called Setanta a new name: Cuchulainn - The Hound of Culann.
An incredible warrior who performed incredible feats of skill and bravery. As with all ancient warriors, he was marked as different to the norm. In Setanta's case, he would go into a 'warp-spasm' when in a battle-frenzy. The bones faced backwards inside his skin, one eye would sink into his head while the other would protrude right out and the hair on his head would stand on end with drops of blood at the tips. Anyone who has seen me lose it in the classroom will know just what I mean. Now if only I had the mythical Gae Bulga, Cuchulainn's guided missile-like spear that unerringly hit its' target, no matter how the person dodged.
Setanta
06-05-2002, 11:53 AM
Ok, if you've followed so far, why did I choose the name?
There is one aspect of the legend that stands out for me, and that is the struggle for Setanta to keep his identity separate from The Hound; Cuchulainn. It is a strugle for humanity, to hold a sense of self, rather than to fall into the role that destiny has determined.
I guess that's me, struggling to have my own sense of self, standing up for what I believe in and never backing down, despite the odds. (Damn - that was too D&M :p )
Besides, it's a cool name - how many other Setanta's do you see on the 'net ;)
There is one aspect of the legend that stands out for me, and that is the struggle for Setanta to keep his identity separate from The Hound; Cuchulainn. It is a strugle for humanity, to hold a sense of self, rather than to fall into the role that destiny has determined.
I guess that's me, struggling to have my own sense of self, standing up for what I believe in and never backing down, despite the odds. (Damn - that was too D&M :p )
Besides, it's a cool name - how many other Setanta's do you see on the 'net ;)
spunkymunky
06-05-2002, 12:12 PM
u lost me at the cachha... caccha? cakha..... yes.
::grey:
::grey:
Setanta
06-05-2002, 12:56 PM
:rolleyes: ;)
taranaki
06-05-2002, 06:21 PM
O.K.,got all that....So why Pete ? :finger: :finger: :finger: :finger: :finger: :finger:
Setanta
06-05-2002, 10:30 PM
Bastard :finger:
incoming
06-06-2002, 07:59 AM
Originally posted by spunkymunky
u lost me at the cachha... caccha? cakha..... yes.
::grey:
:D exactly what i was thinking!!! :finger:
yeah but u still havent answered my question.. y setanta??? ahahha:silly2:
u lost me at the cachha... caccha? cakha..... yes.
::grey:
:D exactly what i was thinking!!! :finger:
yeah but u still havent answered my question.. y setanta??? ahahha:silly2:
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026