Nerthus

Nerthus was a Germanic earth goddess worshipped by the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarini, and Nuitones tribesTacitus, P. C., (98). Germania. Ch.40, as well as possibly by the AestiiTacitus, P. C., (98). Germania. Ch.45.
== Legends ==
Nerthus was believed to take an interest in human affairs, and was believed to ride through the lands of her worshippers. On an island in the sea she had a grove wherein stood a chariot with a cloth draped over it, which only her priests were allowed to touch. The priest would take her chariot through the lands of her worshippers, having festivals and celebrations wherever they were, and war was forbidden until the chariot was returned to the grove and they, along with the goddess, were washed in a secluded sacred lake by slaves, who were then drowned in the lake as a sacrifice to her. 
Tacitus says the Aestii worship the "mother of the gods", who may or may not be the same as Nerthus due to her role as the earth goddess. The Aestii wear boar masks as her emblem, foregoing armour in favour of this mask in battle to gain the goddess' protection.
== References ==
Category:Gods
Category:Germania