| − | Merlin is the famous wizard and adviser to [[King Arthur]]. He was also adviser to Arthur's father King [[Uther Pendragon]]. In the earliest sources, such as Nennius, Merlin is apparently the same person as [[Ambrosius Aurelianus]], but later these two figures became two distinct individuals. | + | '''Merlin''' is the famous wizard and adviser to [[King Arthur]]. He was also adviser to Arthur's father King [[Uther Pendragon]]. In the earliest sources, such as Nennius, Merlin is apparently the same person as [[Ambrosius Aurelianus]], but later these two figures became two distinct individuals. |
| | Merlin, a native of Carmarthen in [[Wales]], was a boy born without a father, but his father was actually a Roman [[consul]] (according to Nennius at any rate). After serving as adviser to both Uther Pendragon and Arthur for many decades, Merlin, now a very old man, fell in love with a nymph named Nimue, Maeonia, Vivian, or perhaps even [[Morgan la Fay]], depending on which account you read. She stole his magical power and imprisoned him in a crystal cave, where he still is, it is said. In other sources Merlin's real name is Lailoken, and he lived in [[Scotland]], and went mad after a battle and ran into the woods to live as a hermit. | | Merlin, a native of Carmarthen in [[Wales]], was a boy born without a father, but his father was actually a Roman [[consul]] (according to Nennius at any rate). After serving as adviser to both Uther Pendragon and Arthur for many decades, Merlin, now a very old man, fell in love with a nymph named Nimue, Maeonia, Vivian, or perhaps even [[Morgan la Fay]], depending on which account you read. She stole his magical power and imprisoned him in a crystal cave, where he still is, it is said. In other sources Merlin's real name is Lailoken, and he lived in [[Scotland]], and went mad after a battle and ran into the woods to live as a hermit. |