In
Gallo-Roman religion,
Sequana was the
goddess of the river
Seine, particularly the springs at the source of the Seine, and the
Gaulish tribe the
Sequani. The springs, called the
Fontes Sequanae ("The Springs of Sequana") are located in a valley in the Châtillon Plateau, to the north-west of
Dijon in
Burgundy, and it was here, in the 2nd or 1st century BC, that a healing shrine was established. The sanctuary was later taken over the by
Romans, who built two temples, a colonnaded precinct and other related structures centred on the spring and pool. Many dedications were made to Sequana at her temple, including a large pot inscribed with her name and filled with bronze and silver models of parts of human bodies to be cured by her. Wooden and stone images of limbs, internal organs, heads, and complete bodies were offered to her in the hope of a cure, as well as numerous coins and items of jewellery. Respiratory illnesses and eye diseases were common. Pilgrims were frequently depicted as carrying offerings to the goddess, including money, fruit, or a favorite pet dog or bird.
