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Math fab Mathonwy

Welsh literature

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Math fab Mathonwy is a central figure in one of the four branches of the Welsh Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh narratives. He is the king of Gwynedd in North Wales and the brother of the goddess Dôn. A unique requirement for Math is to have his feet resting on a virgin's lap when at peace.

The narrative involves his nephews, Gilfaethwy and Gwydion, who rape the virgin serving Math. Math punishes them, and later, his niece Arianrhod attempts to take the virgin's place. This leads to the birth of two children, including Lleu. Math, along with Gwydion, plays a role in creating an artificial wife for Lleu and assisting him in avenging her infidelity. Math is also associated with fertility, as he and Gwydion are credited with introducing pigs from the otherworld into North Wales.123

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