Rothechtaid Rotha
Encyclopedia
Rothechtaid Rotha, son of Róán, son of Failbe, son of Cas Cétchaingnech, son of Faildergdóit, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the eastern midland kingdom of the Gailenga
who became High King of Ireland
after defeating his predecessor, Sírna Sáeglach, in the battle of Alind. He was the first Irish king to use a four-horse chariot, which he had made for his queen. He ruled for seven years, until he was struck by lightning at Dunseverick
, County Antrim
. He was succeeded by his son Elim Olfínechta. The Lebor Gabála Érenn
synchronises his reign with that of Phraortes
of the Medes
(665-633 BC). The chronology of Geoffrey Keating
's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 794-787 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1031-1024 BC.
Gailenga
Gailenga was the name of two related peoples and kingdoms found in medieval Ireland in Brega and Connacht.-Origins:Along with the Luighne, Delbhna, Saitne and Ciannachta, the Gailenga claimed descent from Tadc mac Cein mac Ailill Aulom. Francis John Byrne, in agreement with Eoin MacNeill, believes...
who became High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
after defeating his predecessor, Sírna Sáeglach, in the battle of Alind. He was the first Irish king to use a four-horse chariot, which he had made for his queen. He ruled for seven years, until he was struck by lightning at Dunseverick
Dunseverick
Dunseverick is a hamlet and townland near the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is most notable for Dunseverick Castle.-External links:****...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. He was succeeded by his son Elim Olfínechta. The Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn is the Middle Irish title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages...
synchronises his reign with that of Phraortes
Phraortes
Phraortes , son of Diyako, was the second king of the Median Empire....
of the Medes
Medes
The MedesThe Medes...
(665-633 BC). The chronology of Geoffrey Keating
Geoffrey Keating
Seathrún Céitinn, known in English as Geoffrey Keating, was a 17th century Irish Roman Catholic priest, poet and historian. He was born in County Tipperary c. 1569, and died c. 1644...
's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 794-787 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1031-1024 BC.