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AmerginIn Irish mythology, Amergin of the Fair Knee was a druid, a bard and a judge of the Milesians, whom some have identified as the first Gaelic settlers in Ireland. A number of poems attributed to Amergin are part of the Milesian mythology. He was a son of Ml Espine or Ml of Spain. These Milesian colonists, led by the eight sons of Ml (Ml himself had died in Spain), came to Ireland seeking revenge for the death of Ith, an explorer who had been treacherously slain by the three kings of the Tuatha D Danann (the people of the Goddess Danu). The three goddesses who ruled the Tuatha D Danann, (Banba, riu and Fdla), gave, in turn, permission for Amergin and his people to settle in Ireland. Each of the sisters required Amergin to name the island after each of them, which he did: riu is the origin of the modern name ire, and Banba and Fdla are used as poetic names for Ireland, much as Albion is for Britain. However the Milesians had to win the island by engaging in battle with the three kings, their druids and warriors. Amergin acted as an impartial judge for the parties, setting the rules of engagement. The Milesians agreed to leave the island and retreat a short distance back into the ocean. Upon a signal, they moved toward the beach. The gods and the forces of air and water under the command of druids also engaged in the battle. There were heavy losses on all sides, with more than one major battle, but the Milesians carried the day. The three kings of the Tuatha D Danann were each killed in single combat by three of the surviving sons of Ml -- Eber Finn, Eremon and Amergin the druid. Amergin then divided the land between his two brothers, Eber taking the southern half or Ireland, Eremon the north. Amergin should not be confused with his namesake Amairgin mac Echit, a poet and warrior in the Ulster Cycle. See also Taliesin. Amergin in modern fiction The Marvel Comics character Doctor Druid claims descent from Amergin. References
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