Ogma

The name Oghma--from which it is said the writing system of ogham originated--is actually worth some study. It ultimately is believed to derive from the Indo-European root "ag" meaning "to cut"--which in turn would refer to the alphabet of ogham, wherein types of slashes against the corner of a stone or peice of wood would act as letters (see w/u for more details). Hense, the name of Oghma--and his Gaulic equivalent Ogmios--is likely derived from the alphabet's name, and not the other way around.

Oghma in Irish myth is said to be one of the Tuatha De Dannan, the brother of the Dagda and of Nuada, who form a type of divine trio--the Dagda, who was the all-father; Nuada, king and god of war (and possibly a storm king like Zeus); and Oghma, who in his continental form is associated with Hercules--and the Irish myths name him as a great warrior and champion--and with the devising of letters and possibly a psychopomp, both of which may give him some association with Hermes, though not enough for Julius Caesar to call him Mercury in the Gallic Wars (Mercury is generally believed to have been Lugh).

In "The Second Battle of Magh Turedh," it is said that Oghma was forced from his place of honor by Formorian king Bres to become a collector of firewood, until the day that Lugh Lamhfada came to fight against the Formorians and restore rule to the Tuatha De Dannan.

In Gallic iconography, he is depicted as an old man, with a chain from his tongue to the ears of several followers, attesting to his eloquence.