Súaltam
Súaltam (Súaltaim, Súaldam, Súaldaim, Súaltach) mac Róich is the mortal father of the hero Cúchulainn in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. His wife is Deichtine, sister of Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster. His brother is Fergus mac Róich.

The nature of Cúchulainn's parentage is unclear and inconsistent. In one version, Deichtine fosters the baby son of Lugh, but he becomes sick and dies. Then she is made pregnant by Lugh, who tells her to name the child Sétanta, but as she is betrothed to Súaltam, she aborts the pregnancy, marries Súaltam and has his child, whom she names Sétanta. The child is later renamed Cúchulainn. In another version, Deichtine disappears from Emain Macha, until the nobles of Ulster are led by a flock of magical birds to a house, where they are welcomed by Lugh. He tells them his wife is due to give birth soon, and when she does the Ulstermen discover she is Deichtine. The child is named Sétanta. He is brought up by Súaltam and Deichtine in their house on Muithemne Plain in County Louth.

Seventeen years later, when queen Medb of Connacht launches the "Táin Bó Cúailnge" (Cattle Raid of Cooley) against Ulster, Cúchulainn and Súaltam are watching the border at Iraird Cuilenn (Crossakiel, County Meath). While Cúchulainn tries to hold up the army's advance, Súaltam goes to warn the Conchobar. For unexplained reasons, he does not arrive at Emain Macha for several months. He burst in and cries out that men are being killed, women abducted, and cattle plundered, and that Ailill mac Máta, king of Connacht, is responsible. However, he is ignored, for he has failed to follow precedence - no man could speak before the king, and the king could not speak before his three druids - and Conchobar and his druids agree he should be executed. As Súaltam runs out, he falls against the sharpened rim of his shield and decapitates himself. His severed head is brought back on his shield still crying out that men are being murdered, women abducted and cattle plundered. Finally Conchobar is roused to action and gathers his army for battle.
Q211955
Cúchulainn
MEDIA
Q1134199
Ulster Cycle
TIME
Q1471505
Irish mythology
Concept
Q1143084
Deichtine
MISC
Q1124002
Conchobar mac Nessa
MISC
Q1991460
Ulster
LOC
Q387800
Fergus mac Róich
MEDIA
Q215683
Lugh
MISC
Q1274963
Emain Macha
LOC
Q183539
County Louth
LOC
Q1141828
Medb
MISC
Q399113
Táin Bó Cúailnge
ORG
Q1129702
Cooley
LOC
Q183544
County Meath
LOC
Q405146
Ailill mac Máta
PER
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
Q1629589
Súaltam
MISC
child
characters
spouse
allegiance
allegiance
characters
part of
characters
subclass of
sibling
sibling
characters