Veleda
a prophetic virgin, by birth belonged to the Bructeri, and was regarded as a divine being by most of the nations in central Germany in the reign of Vespasian.
She inhabited a lofty tower in the neighbourhood of the river Luppia (Lippe); but none save her own immediate relations were allowed to enter her presence, in order to preserve the veneration in which she was held.
She encouraged Civilis in his revolt against the Romans, and predicted the success which he at first obtained, but she was afterwards taken prisoner and carried to Rome. (
Tac. Hist. 4.61,
65,
5.22,
24,
Germ. 8;
Stat. Silv. 1.4. 90,
captivaeque preces Velědae ; D. C. 67.5, who makes the penultimate long,
Βελήδα.)
