Sualtam mac Róich
Irish · mortal · ulster cycle · Recorded classification
Mortal of Ulaid; brother of Fergus mac Róich; husband of Deichtire. Foster/legal father of Cú Chulainn under the dominant Lugh-paternity tradition. Famous for his death-by-own-shield-rim at Emain Macha during the Macha-curse phase of the Táin: rode to raise the alarm, was decapitated when his shield turned, and his severed head continued to shout the warning until Cathbad heeded it.
Powers
- his severed head keeps crying the war-alarm until Ulster wakes
- His severed head keeps shouting the war-warning
Relations
- sibling: Fergus mac RóichBrother of Fergus mac Róich, the exiled former king of Ulaid.Táin Bó Cúailnge; multiple Ulster Cycle texts (primary)
- spouse: DeichtireCompert Con Culainn; Táin Bó Cúailnge (primary)
- foster parent: Cú ChulainnFoster/legal father of Cú Chulainn under the dominant Lugh-paternity reading; biological father under minority Sualtam-paternity readings (some text-strata of Compert Con Culainn).Compert Con Culainn; Táin Bó Cúailnge (primary)