The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology

 

 

According to ancient Greek poet Hesiod (seventh century BC), the nine muses are the daughters of the Titian, Mnemosyne, goddess of memory and Zeus, king of all Greek gods, whom also, so they say, happened to be her nephew.

The story goes that the couple spent nine consecutive nights together which resulted in the birth of the nine muses, on nine consecutive days, at Pieria, a village located at the foot of Mount Olympus:

 

1. Calliope – (beautiful-voiced ) – Muse of Epic Poetry

2. Kleio – (to make famous) – Muse of history

3.  Euterpe – (Giving Much Delight) – Muse of music and lyric poetry

4. Thaleia – (Blooming) – Muse of comedy

5. Melpomene – (Celebrate with Song) – Muse of tragedy

6. Terpsichore – (Delighting in Dance) – Muse of dance

7. Erato – (Beloved) – Muse of erotic poetry

8. Polyhymnia – (Many Hymns) – Muse of hymns

9. Urania or Ourania – (Heavenly One) – Muse of astronomy

 

 

The nine muses lived on Mount Helicon, in Boeotia, Greece, where, it is said, there were two springs devoted to the Muses; the Aganippe and the Hippocrene, both having the Greek word for horse (ἵππος híppos), incorporated into their names;

The Hippocrene spring came into being when the winged horse Pegasus, stamped on a rock so forcefully with his hoof, a spring burst forth from the spot.

Both Mount Helicon and the Hippocrene spring were regarded as fonts of poetic inspiration.

 

 

More often than not the muses were to be found in the company of Apollo, who governed conceptions not unlike those of the muses, such as music, light, eloquence and poetry.

Originally, the muses were the patron goddesses of poets, who at the time, if they wanted to have musical backing as they recited their work, were forced to also become musicians.

 Gradually the muses came to symbolize all the liberal arts and were regarded as the divine inspiration for poetry, lyric, song and dance as well as the artist and the artisan.

 

 

In ancient times, believing their talent came from their divine intervention; artists would devote their work to the muses.

The idea still holds today; artists, writers, painters and sculptors, often, after experiencing that intangible rush of inspiration which overwhelms them;  brought upon them by someone they highly respect, be it a friend or a famous painter or poet, may say; “I have found my muse!”.

From “muse”, comes the word museum, the place where works from “inspired people” are displayed, which in turn, go on to inspire yet more creative minds; and the cycle goes on.

 

Mnemosyne

Goddess of Memory and Mother of the Muses

 

 

Mnemosyne was a Titan goddess; one of the twelve children of the sky god Ouranus and Gaia, mother Earth, which made her the sister of six brothers; Cronus, Oceanus, Hyperion, Iapetus, Crius and Coeus, and five sisters, Rhea, Phoebe, Theia, Themis and Tethys.

Her name translates as “memory” and from Menmoysne came the ability to remember, to use the power of reason and to make use of language; eventually, owing to all these attributes, Menmoysne also became associated with speech.

Therefore, it was only to be expected that all ancient orators, kings and poets, bowed down to the memory goddess, in thanks for enabling them to utilize persuasive rhetoric; the art of using language to argue successfully for or against a set of beliefs, or course of action and to convince others to adopt a position, or act in a certain way.

Mnemosyne lived in the Pieria region, near to Mount Olympus and it was here, for nine consecutive nights, that she was seduced by Zeus, god of all gods, resulting in the birth, on nine consecutive days, of nine daughters, who came to be known collectively as the Muses.

 

 

Although not a significant goddess, Mnemosyne did however have followers in the cult of Asclepius, god of medicine, believed to have the ability to cure all illnesses, which sprung up in Greece in around the 5th century BC.

In some areas of ancient Greece after making offerings to Asclepius, one last prayer was offered to Mnemosyne, in the hope she would help the devotee remember any visions they had while sleeping there.

 

 

Mnemosyne was also worshipped in Lebadeia in Boeotia, at Mount Helicon in Boeotia and there was a statue of Mnemosyne in the shrine of Dionysos in Athens, along with the statues of the Muses, Zeus and Apollo, as well as a statue of her with her daughters the Muses in the Temple of Athena Alea, a sanctuary in Tegea, Arcadia dedicated to goddess Athena.

 

Mythical Mix Up

 

 

 It’s not unusual, when it comes to ancient Greek myths, for things to become rather confusing e.g. you may read several different versions of the same myth, with different characters playing key parts, however, at least the outcome is usually the same.

Now when it comes to myths about muses, things really go off the tracks!

So, just bear with me, I’m doing my best but when it comes to which muse is the mother of which son and who was the father, different ancient authors and historians give different info, they must have listened to too much gossip, so take it all with a pinch of salt!

The merry muses may have been married or unmarried, or married to the same men or been the same mothers of the same famous sons, usually Orpheus, Rhesus and Eumolpus.

It’s a case of stories changing down the years through word of mouth and people forgetting.

It’s a pity those long gone-authors couldn’t have asked the muse’s mother, Mnemosyne, goddess of memory, she would have remembered!

 

Caliope

Muse of Epic Poetry

 

 

Caliope, first-born of the Muses, whose name means The “beautiful-voiced” presided over eloquence and epic poetry and was so called, owing to the euphoric harmony of her voice, when she recited poetry.

Both Hesiod, an ancient Greek poet, active between 750 and 650 BC, a major source on Greek mythology and Ovid 43 BC – AD 17, a Roman poet, called her the “Chief of all Muses”; the wisest and most assertive.

Caliope was sometimes believed to be Homer’s muse for the Iliad and the Odyssey.

She is usually portrayed holding a writing tablet, a roll of paper or a book in her hand and wearing a gold crown and sometimes is shown together with her children.

 

 

Calliope is said to have had two sons, Orpheus; legendary musician, prophet and poet and Linus; the inventor of rhythm and melody; their father was either Apollo, whom she taught verses for singing, or King Oeagrus of Thrace, whom she is said to have married in Pimpleia, a town near Mount Olympus

Read another version of her myth and you will find Calliope is also is said to have been the mother of Rhesus, whose father was the river-god Strymon and in yet other accounts, she is the mother of the Sirens; prophetic creatures, with the head of a human and the body of a lion.

Calliope is said to have defeated the nine daughters of Pierus, king of Thessaly, who were known as the Pierides, in a singing match and then punished their presumption for believing they could sing better than the muses, by turning them into magpies.

 

 

Kleio (Clio)

Muse of History

 

 

 Kleio, whose name means to recount or to make famous, from the Greek Kleio – κλείω, is the muse of history (A few other accounts have her as the muse of lyre-playing).

She was believed to possess the ability to immortalize anyone by admitting their deeds to history, regardless of whether they were good or a bad, making them unforgettable and is usually depicted with an open parchment scroll, a book, or a set of tablets, the heroic trumpet or the clepsydra (water clock).

She is said to have had one son, Hyacinth, a Spartan Prince and lover of Apollo, with one of several kings, in various myths; king of Pierus of Pella, Oebalus of Sparta, or king Amyclas, take your pick!

In the tragedy written by Euripides, “Rhesus”, Kleio is also the mother of Rhesus (a mythical king of Thrace in The Iliad), however, in other versions of myths of the muses, Euterpe, Calliope, and Terpsichore are also named as his mother!

Kleio is also credited as being the mother of Linus, the inventor of rhythm and melody but then again, so are her sisters Urania and Calliope.

 

Renault Clio

 

 

The Renault Clio is named after Kleio (Clio), ancient Greek muse of History, in Greek mythology.

Manufactured by French automobile company Renault, the Clio is now in its fifth generation (since 2019) and has invariably been one of Europe’s top-selling cars since its launch in 1990.

It’s one of only two cars (the other is the Volkswagen Golf), to have ever been voted European Car of the Year twice, first time in 1991 and again in 2006.

In 1999, Renault launched the saloon version of the Clio II, which, in central Europe is named Thalia, another muse, this time of comedy and idyllic poetry, which is nothing to laugh at; it’s pure poetry!

It was a good move on the part of Renault, naming the car after the muse Clio; she certainly kept her promises of immortalizing anything or anyone by admitting them to history and making them unforgettable!

 

The Clio Awards

 

 

“The Clio Awards celebrates bold work that propels the advertising industry forward, inspires a competitive marketplace of ideas and fosters meaningful connections within the creative community”

Founded in 1959, the annual Clio Awards recognize excellence in advertising, design and communication and takes its name from Clio (Kleio), one of the nine Greek muses; the muse of history, owing to her role as “the proclaimer, glorifier and celebrator of history, great deeds and accomplishments” .

They were followed in 1971 with the establishment of “The Clio Entertainment Awards”; awards in advertising and marketing for Broadway; judged as part of the Live Entertainment sector.

 

​ Euterpe

Muse of Music and Lyric Poetry

 

 

Euterpe, whose name means “to please” and was called “Giver of delight” by ancient poets, was the muse of music.

In late Classical times, she was also known as the muse of lyric poetry.

She is usually depicted with her favourite instruments, the two-pipe or double-flute; the diaulos, an ancient Greece wind instrument consisting of two pipes (aulos) and the lyre, also an ancient Greek instrument.

Euterpe’s role was to entertain the gods on Mount Olympus and inspire, guide and assist musicians with their compositions

 

Thalia

Muse of Comedy

 

 

Thalia, whose name means “to flourish or bloom”, from Ancient Greek “θάλλειν – thállein”, was one of the Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry.

The muse of comedy is portrayed as a happy young woman crowned with ivy, wearing boots and holding a comic mask in her hand.

 She may often also be seen holding a bugle and a trumpet, both of which were used to reinforce the voice of the actor in ancient comedy.

 

Melpomene

Muse of Tragedy

 

 

Melpomene, whose name means to “to sing’’ or “the melodious one”, from the Greek verb melpô or melpomai, which means to “to celebrate with dance and song”, is the muse of tragedy.

It may seem strange that the muse of tragedy’s name derives from the Greek verb meaning “to celebrate with dance and song”, however; it makes more sense when you realize the songs she sings and dances to, are those of funeral rituals and mourning.

Melpomene is depicted holding either a dagger or a sword, and a tragic mask or an expression of grieving and a crown of leaves.

Many ancient historians, including Apollodorus, Lycophron and Gaius Julius Hyginus, again tell us that one of the nine muses was the mother of the sirens (beautiful half-woman, half-bird creatures), this time it’s Melpomene’s turn.

Many of the ancients were sure the playwright Sophocles must have been blessed by Melpomene, as his tragedies were extremely profound!

 

The Asteroid 18 Melpomene

 

 

The asteroid, 18 Melpomene, a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, in the main portion of the asteroid belt, was discovered by John Russell Hind on 24 June 1852.

He worked under Sir George Biddell Airy, the seventh Astronomer Royal, at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, whom he asked to name the asteroid.

Sir George Biddell Airy chose the name Melpomene; a name representing tragedy as his son had died on the day the asteroid was discovered, which was also the thirteenth anniversary of his daughter’s death.

Later, Sir George Biddell Airy would recollect:

“On that evening Mr Hind discovered the asteroid and he requested me to give a name. I remembered Horace’s “Praecipe lugubres cantus, Melpomene,”and Cowley’s “I called the buskin’d muse Melpomene and told her what sad story I would write,” and suggested Melpomene, or Penthos: Melpomene was adopted.”

 

Terpsichore

Muse of Dance

 

 

“The dance, of all the arts, is the one that most influences the soul.”

Plato – ancient Greek philosopher

 

Terpsichore, whose name means “delight in dancing”, is the muse of dance and chorus.

This delightful dancer is usually depicted holding a lyre, accompanying dancers with her music.

 Here we go again; according to Apollonius of Rhodes, Terpsichore was the mother of the Sirens by the river god Achelous! Where have I heard this story before?

The Etymologicum Magnum mentions her as the mother of the Thracian king Biston by Ares and maybe, just maybe, according to the Byzantine scholar Eustathius, Terpsichore was the mother of the Thracian king Rhesus by the river god Strymon!

Music and dance were not only an essential part of education, dancing was also a way of worshiping the gods and celebrating at festivals.

“The Dionysia”, festivals dating back to the fifth century BC, dedicated to Dionysus (Bacchus), God of wine, theater, fertility and ecstasy

 

 

The Maenads, followers of Dionysus, would drink wine and dance frenziedly accompanied by Terpsichore, dancing alongside them, inspiring them to move their feet.

 

Erato

Muse of Erotic Poetry

 

 

Erato, whose name means “desired” or “lovely”, derived from the same root, in ancient Greek, as Eros, (Cupid), god of love, desire and passion, is the ancient Greek muse of erotic poetry.

Erato is mostly portrayed with a wreath of myrtle and roses, holding a lyre, or a small kithara, a musical instrument associated with Apollo.

Other depictions show her holding a golden arrow, a symbol of Eros, whom with she is often accompanied, reminding us of the feelings she inspires.

Of all the Muses, Erato was the one who inspired the most heartache and devotion and together with Eros, inspired the hearts of the love poets.

 

Polyhymnia

Muse of Hymns

 

 

Polyhymnia, whose name means ‘the one of many praises’, derived from the Greek words “poly”, meaning “many” and “hymnos” which means “praise”, is the muse of sacred poetry, sacred hymn, dance and eloquence, as well as agriculture and pantomime.

Polyhymnia is also sometimes also said to be the Muse of geometry and meditation.

She is depicted as serious, pensive and meditative, often holding a finger to her mouth, dressed in a long cloak and veil and resting her elbow on a pillar.

Those wishing to deliver eloquent speeches would pray to Polyhymnia for her guidance, in his “Bibliotheca historica”, Diodorus of Sicily a 1st century BC Greek historian wrote:

“Polyhymnia, because by her great (polle) praises (humnesis) she brings distinction to writers whose works have won for them immortal fame…”

She is said to be the mother of Triptolemus by Cheimarrhoos, son of Ares and also mother of the musician Orpheus by Apollo.

 

 Urania

Muse of Astronomy and Astrology

 

 

Urania or Ouranía, whose name means “heavenly” or “of heaven”, is the muse of astronomy and astrology and is often associated with Universal Love.

She is usually shown with a globe and compass, wearing a cloak embroidered with stars and her eyes focused on the skies.

She is able to foretell the future by the arrangement of the stars

Because of the similarity in their names, the muse Urania is often mixed up with Aphrodite Urania; ”heavenly Aphrodite”.

Urania is another of the nine muses listed as the mother of the famous the inventor of rhythm and melody, Linus, by Apollo or maybe Hermes or Amphimarus, son of Poseidon.

She may also have been the mother of Hymenaeus; god of marriage ceremonies one of the winged love gods, the Erotes.

During the Renaissance, Urania began to be considered the Muse for Christian poets.

Astronomical observatories in Berlin, Budapest, Bucharest, Vienna, Zürich, Antwerp and Uraniborg on the island of Hven, are all named after the muse Urania.

The main belt asteroid (30) Urania is also named after her.

 

 

The official seal of the U.S. Naval Observatory portrays Urania.

 Hr. Ms. Urania is a sail training vessel for the Royal Netherlands Naval College.

 There has been a Hr. Ms. Urania in the Royal Netherlands Navy since 1832.

Urania is featured on the seal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, along with the motto; Quo ducit Urania “Where Urania leads”.

 

​ The Modern Muse

 

 

Throughout history, a muse has been someone, usually a woman, who inspires creative inspiration in people of an artistic disposition.

Most commonly a muse, usually a woman, will be a close friend, lover or wife of an artist, who, owing to their charisma, wisdom, sophistication, eroticism, intimate friendship, or other such characteristics, gives inspiration, be it either to a specific work or the artist’s work in general.

Muses should not be confused with patrons, teachers or organizers who on the whole, support artists without inspiring.

Modern muses, often artists in their own right, who have left their mark on well-known artists are; Elizabeth Siddal, for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Gala, for Salvador Dalí, Dora Maar, for Pablo Picasso, Yoko Ono, for John Lennon and Pattie Boyd, for Eric Clapton and George Harrison, to name but a few.

 

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