Veleda at The Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

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Veleda was a powerful priestess and prophet of the Germanic Bructeri tribe who gained significant recognition during the Batavian rebellion of AD 69-70, led by Romanized Batavian chieftain Gaius Julius Civilis. She accurately predicted the initial victories of the rebels against Roman legions. Her name may be Celtic, a generic title for a prophetess (derived from Proto-Celtic *welet- "seer", a derivative of the root *wel- "to see"). The ancient Germanic people recognized a divinity of prophecy in women and considered prophetesses to be true and living goddesses. In the second half of the 1st century AD, Veleda was revered as a deity by most tribes in central Germany, enjoying widespread influence. She resided in a tower near the Lippe River, a tributary of the Rhine. The inhabitants of the Roman settlement of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (now Cologne) accepted her mediation in a conflict with the Tencteri, an unfederated tribe outside the Roman Empire's boundary. As mediator, envoys were not allowed to meet her; instead, an interpreter conveyed their messages and reported her pronouncements. This artifact is part of "Scan The World". Scan The World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, aiming to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how to help.