Halamardus – maintaining victoriously

Untill the end of the 19th century the base of a Mars-Halamardus statue was embedded in the wall of the church in the village of Horn, which is situated in the middle of the dutch province Limburg.

The inscription on the base above writes:

MARTI
HALAMARDI
SACRVM
T.DOMIT.VINDEX
C.LEG.XX.V.V
V . S . L . M

Which means translated:
Dedicated to Mars-Halamardus by Titus Domitius Vindex, centurio of the 20.
Legion Valeria Victrix, who has willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.

This dedication was done at Vindex’ promotion ceremony to Centurion (leader over 100 soldiers) shortly before he was moved to Deva (Chester) in Roman-Britain.
The stone can be dated to the first century.

Linguistically the name is clear Germanic, can be explained through Germanic language:
The first part of the name likely deals with ‘man’ or ‘men’, ‘hero’ or ‘heroes’, the second part with killing, slaying, but also with ‘increase’, enlarge, enhance.
Within the first explanation the name could mean killer of enemies, (hostile men or heroes), in the second it could cohere with promotion, getting a higher position.

In actual Germanic religious practice (Asatru), Halamardus can be asked for help, f.i. his intermediate help when planning a career, when applying for a higher job and such things, also maintaining oneself and persevering in such procedures against rivals, competitors.

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