Very often in our lives we come across such phrases as: “visited by a muse”, “muse of poetry” and many others in which the word muse is mentioned. However, what does it mean? This concept comes from ancient mythology. The Greek muses are nine sisters, patroness of the arts and sciences. They are the daughters of Zeus himself and each of them has their own unique divine abilities. Let's take a closer look at them.
adUnit = document.getElementById("google-ads-SuhN"); adWidth = adUnit.offsetWidth; if (adWidth >= 999999) ( /* GETTING THE FIRST IF OUT OF THE WAY */ ) else if (adWidth >= 468) ( if (document.querySelectorAll(".ad_unit").length > 2) ( google_ad_slot = " 0"; adUnit.style.display = "none"; ) else ( adcount = document.querySelectorAll(".ad_unit").length; tag = "ad_unit_468x60_"+adcount; google_ad_width = "468"; google_ad_height = "60"; google_ad_format = "468x60_as"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_ad_channel = "" ) ) else ( google_ad_slot = "0"; adUnit.style.display = "none"; ) adUnit.className = adUnit.className + " ad_unit " + tag; google_ad_client = "ca-pub-7982303222367528"; adUnit.style.cssFloat = ""; adUnit.style.styleFloat = ""; adUnit.style.margin = ""; adUnit.style.textAlign = ""; google_color_border = "ffffff"; google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; google_color_link = "cc0000"; google_color_url = "940f04"; google_color_text = "000000"; google_ui_features = "rc:";
So, as stated earlier, the muses are the daughters of Zeus and the Titanide Mnemosyne, who is the goddess of memory. The very word muses (muses) comes from the Greek word “thinking”. The Muses were usually depicted as young and beautiful women. They possessed the gift of prophecy and were favorably disposed towards creative people: poets, artists, actors, in every possible way encouraging and helping them in their activities. However, for special offenses, the muses could deprive a person of inspiration. To prevent this from happening, the ancient Greeks built special temples in honor of the muses, which were called museions. It is from this word that the word “museum” comes from. The patron saint of the muses themselves was the god Apollo. Let's now look at each of the muses in more detail.
Muse Calliope - muse of epic poetry
The name of this muse from Greek can be translated as “having beautiful voice" According to Diodorus, this name arose at the moment when the “beautiful word” (kalen opa) was pronounced. She is eldest daughter Zeus and Mnemosyne.
Calliope is the mother of Orpheus, the muse of heroic poetry and eloquence. It evokes a feeling of sacrifice, which encourages a person to overcome his selfishness and fear of fate. Calliope wears a golden crown on her brow - a sign that she dominates other muses, thanks to her ability to introduce a person to the first steps on the path to his liberation. Calliope was depicted with a waxed tablet or scroll and a slate stick in her hands - a stylus, which was a bronze rod, the pointed end of which was used to write text on a tablet covered with wax. The opposite end was made flat to erase what was written.
Muse Clio - patroness of history
The accompanying attributes of this muse are a scroll of parchment or a tablet - a board with writing. Clio reminds us of what a person can achieve and helps him find his purpose.
According to Diodorus, the name comes from the word “Kleos” - “glory”. The etymology of the name is “giver of glory.” From Pierre, the Greek muse Clio had a son, Hyakinthos. Love for Pierre was inspired by Aphrodite for condemning her love for Adonis.
Muse Melpomene - muse of tragedy
IN Greek mythology Melpomene is considered the muse of the tragic genre. The name, according to Diodorus, means “melody that pleases listeners.” The image is anthropomorphic - it was described as a woman with a bandage, a grape or ivy wreath on her head. Always has permanent attributes in the form of a tragic mask, sword or club. The weapon carries symbolism of the inevitability of divine punishment.
Melpomene is the mother of the Sirens - sea creatures who personified the deceptive but charming surface of the sea, under which sharp cliffs or shoals are hidden. Inherited sirens from their mother muse divine voice, which lured sailors.
Muse Talia - muse of comedy
Thalia, or in another version Phalia, is in Greek mythology the muse of comedy and light poetry, the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She was depicted with a comic mask in her hands and an ivy wreath on her head.
From Thalia and Apollo, the Corybantes were born - the mythical predecessors of the priests of Cybele or Rhea in Phrygia, in wild enthusiasm, with music and dancing, serving the great mother of the gods. According to Diodorus, she received her name from prosperity (talleyn), which was glorified in poetic works for many years.
Zeus, turning into a kite, took Thalia as his wife. Out of fear of Hera's jealousy, the muse hid in the depths of the earth, where demonic creatures were born from her - paliki (in this myth she is called the nymph of Etna).
Muse Polyhymnia - muse of solemn hymns
Polyhymnia is the muse of solemn hymns in Greek mythology. According to Diodorus, she received her name from the creation of many praises (dia polles himneseos) fame to those whose name was immortalized by poetry. She patronizes poets and hymn writers. It is believed that she keeps in memory all the hymns, songs and ritual dances that glorify olympian gods, she is also believed to have invented the lyre.
Polyhymnia is often depicted with a scroll in her hands, in a thoughtful pose. Polyhymnia patronizes people's study of rhetoric and oratory, which turns the speaker into an instrument of truth. She personifies the power of speech and makes a person’s speech life-giving. Polyhymnia helps to understand the mystery of the word as a real force with which you can inspire and revive, but at the same time injure and kill. This power of speech is inspiring on the path to truth.
Muse Terpsichore - muse of dance
Terpsichore is the muse of dance. According to Diodorus, it received its name from the pleasure (terpein) of spectators in the benefits shown in art. Tsets also names her name among the Muses. She is considered the patroness of dancing and choral singing. She was depicted as a young woman, with a smile on her face, sometimes in the pose of a dancer, more often sitting and playing the lyre.
Characteristic attributes: wreath on the head; in one hand she held a lyre and in the other a plectrum. This muse is associated with Dionysus, attributing to her an attribute of this god - ivy (as stated in the inscription on Helicon dedicated to Terpsichore).
Muse Urania - muse of astronomy
Urania is the muse of astronomy. The attributes of Urania were: a celestial globe and a compass. According to Diodorus, she received her name from the aspiration to heaven (uranos) of those who comprehended her art. According to one version, Urania is the mother of Hymen.
Urania personifies the power of contemplation; she calls us to leave the external chaos in which man exists and to immerse ourselves in the contemplation of the majestic running of the stars, which is a reflection of fate. This is the power of knowledge, the power that pulls towards the mysterious, pulls towards the high and beautiful - towards the Sky and the Stars.
Muse Euterpe - muse of lyric poetry
Euterpe (ancient Greek Εὐτέρπη “pleasure”) - in Greek mythology, one of the nine muses, daughters of Zeus and the Titanide Mnemosyne, the muse of lyrical poetry and music. She was depicted with a lyre or flute in her hands.
Mother of Res by the river god Strymon. According to the etymology of Diodorus, she received her name from the pleasure (terpein) of listeners who receive the benefits of education. Tsets also names her name among the Muses.
Muse Erato - muse of love poetry
Erato is the muse of lyrical and love poetry. Her name is derived from the name of the god of love Eros. According to Diodorus, she received her name in honor of the ability to be “eperasta” (desired for love and passion).
Born as a result of the union of Mnemosyne and Zeus. From Mala Erato she gave birth to Cleophema. The attribute of the muse is the cithara. This divine heroine of Greek mythology is mentioned quite often in Hellenic legends.
In addition, to the symbolism associated with the image Greek muse Erato, Virgil and Apollonius of Rhodes resort to in their works. She knows how to inspire love for everything living in the soul with her art of transforming everything into beauty hidden beyond the physical.
Based on Wikipedia materials
Even a person who is not involved in creative work professionally knows the feeling when a muse visits. This state, close to intoxication, causes a whole stream of thoughts and emotions, the desire to create something truly great. The writer begins to frantically print pages of his novel one after another, the artist begins to experiment with forms, to bring to life hitherto unprecedented techniques and techniques. fine arts. But still, what is a muse? Where did the legends about the muses originate?
Most people know that the muse is a product of the imagination of the ancient Greeks. This was the name of the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, that is, the patroness of inspiration belonged to the third generation of Olympians. It is interesting that initially the competence of the muses - along with art - in the modern sense of the word included science and craft. That is, the ability to compose epigrams was valued about the same as fortune telling by the stars. On the other hand, in ancient Greece there was no muse of painting or architecture, which seems a little strange to contemporaries.
The Aloada giants were the first to honor these creatures. At first there were only three of them (their names were translated as “experience”, “memory” and “song”), but then the number increased. According to later legends, the muse is the one who lives on Helikon, sings praises to the gods and knows everything about the past, present and future. She gladly patronizes poets, musicians and other creative people, whom, however, she will take cruel revenge on if they, in turn, try to compete with her, the daughter of Mnemosyne and Zeus. In later times, muses evolved from concrete ones into abstract symbols of science or craft.
Calliope
Calliope was considered the most important among all the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and even the patron Apollo did not dare to interrupt her when she passionately discussed the purity and nobility of warriors. Calliope was the mother of Orpheus, it was from her that he inherited the ability to feel music well, as well as a special understanding poetic word, which should encourage the hero to noble deeds, instill faith in his soul. So her attributes in the form of a stylus and a scroll are by no means an ordinary symbol. It was no coincidence that the warriors who were facing a difficult battle could swear that they heard Calliope composing her new work.
The inspired heroic muse is the personification of civil patriotism. they even ordered miniature images of her when they were going on a long journey, filled with dangers and difficulties. According to legend, Pallas gave Odysseus one of these miniatures so that he would always strive to return to
Clio
“Inspires love for the past” - this is how Clio, the second muse, was characterized. This vague description was valued by the Greeks almost above all else. It's about history. The ancients believed that the muse preserved even the most insignificant event for posterity, so as not to lose a single element of the puzzle called “the past.” She was quite strict and condemned Aphrodite when she became inflamed with passion for a mortal. In revenge, the goddess ordered little Eros to hit Clio with an arrow, and the muse fell in love with a man who did not reciprocate her feelings. Having learned what the torment of love is, the muse no longer dared to condemn feelings.
According to legends, Clio was especially friendly with Calliope. And this is not surprising: history goes hand in hand with courage and patriotism. They even looked alike; images of these muses were often ordered from the same artists.
Melpomene
Next up is the patroness of tragedy. As the myths say, she was the mother of the sirens - those who almost killed the Argonauts. Since childhood, Melpomene's daughters were endowed with a beautiful voice. But they decided to compete with the muses, for which they were punished by Zeus (or Poseidon, according to another version) and turned into birds. From now on, Melpomene will forever be sad about the fate of her children. The muse of tragedy also holds a sword in her hands, symbolizing punishment for vanity.
Waist
Talia, the next muse, is the patron saint of comedy. She is closest to Melpomene, although she never understood her boundless faith in fate. Cicero claimed that the muses often quarreled on this basis. Talia had a comedy mask in her hands, and this symbol could be interpreted as the embodiment of gaiety, love of life, or the fact that human life is just a game of the gods. There is a legend that Zeus himself fell in love with Thalia, but the “lucky one” knew Hera’s character, so she chose to hide from the thunderer’s love.
Euterpe
The next muse is the true poets. Euterpe patronized lyric poetry and was considered the most refined and feminine among her sisters. This is the muse of the word, the gift of versification. The Olympians could listen to her poems for hours to the accompaniment of the harp.
Erato
Erato was distinguished by her cheerfulness and perkiness, for she believed that even the kingdom of Hades could not separate the hearts of true lovers. This muse of music, wedding and love lyrics in the images it is invariably decorated with roses - symbols of passion. One day, at one of the weddings, the muse of music got bored. She said something to the musician - and instantly a magical melody was heard, making those present wish to always be together.
Terpsichore
Before us is Terpsichore, the muse of dance, which previously had a slightly different meaning than it does now. The Greeks perceived dance as something that should express harmony, absolute unity with culture or nature. This muse was depicted with a lyre in her hands.
Polyhymnia
Polyhymnia patronized speakers. It was believed that one had only to say her name at night, and the goddess would descend to the supplicant and help him find the gift of a voice capable of reaching the hearts of listeners.
Urania
The wisest (with the exception of Athena) of the daughters of the Thunderer, Urania was the patroness of even sciences far removed from astronomy. Depicted with a globe and compass.
Capricious and fickle, hardworking and partying... All this is about her, about the muse. There are different muses - invisible maidens with wings behind their backs overshadow poets and musicians, managers and clothing designers.
The muses also come to seemingly uncreative people - gardeners and summer residents, beekeepers, and even to some man who, out of boredom, decided to whittle a wooden spoon.
Muses (from the Greek Μοῦσα - thinking) - according to mythology Ancient Greece, these are the daughters of Zeus and the Titanide Mnemosyne. Or the daughters of Harmony - goddesses living on Parnassus. The muses patronize the arts and sciences.
So isn't this the secret of the muses? Thinkers. As soon as a thought appears - creative, living, not everyday - there is a place for muses. But we are used to thinking the other way around - the author sits, suffers, writes his own best novel. And suddenly - a muse arrives, an idea dawns on you - and everything works out... It turns out, mastery more important than the muse? Or, without the inspired whisper of the muse, the novel would not have begun?
It seems that the muse is what matters. While waiting for these mocking ladies, creative people drink gallons of coffee and tea, start smoking or abusing something. Particularly resilient people go for walks, do yoga and meditation. They are also looking for inspiration in good reading, observations of the world around them, and are always ready to see something new that will become a source of inspiration, even in the old wallpaper pattern of their office.
What qualities are not attributed to the muses: they say that they are fickle, and jealous, and witnesses of nightly triumphs over themselves. As soon as they appear, the lines of “imperishable” flow down from under the author’s fingers onto the pages... And they are also “winged bitches.” This is because as soon as you get ready to sleep, you lie down - and now the muse is driving you, urging you to the table - go ahead and write! Look, I've decided to sleep! So who is she after that?
But we should not forget about the other meaning of creativity. After all, everything that was mentioned is about money, fame, fame. And creativity is literally everywhere! And the muses again confirm that it’s not about the money. Creativity is in the kitchen, in raising children, and in organizing a birthday party. best friend. And even in ancient times (when the golden calf was worshiped no less than now), the muses supported a person in important matters.
The Muses are the patroness of each of us. They continue to inspire us. Without a muse, without a special state, you cannot create anything new and cannot experience such moments as the emergence of a new life and death. loved one, love and marriage, daily creativity and choosing a path for life. And, of course, you can’t do without muses when determining your destiny, your guiding star.
May the muses help you! And to make it easier to call, remember their “professions”:
Euterpe - lyric poetry
Calliope - epic poetry
Clio - history
Melpomene - tragedy
Polyhymnia - first dancing, then pantomime and hymns
Talia - comedy
Terpsichore - dance
Urania - astronomy
Erato - love poetry.
Invoke the muses both jokingly and seriously, simply remembering the divine origin of creativity. To descend is about insight, understanding “from above.” About the pity of the beautiful goddesses - the muses - for us, and their help. Which each of us sometimes needs.
Very often in our lives we come across such phrases as: “visited by a muse”, “muse of poetry” and many others in which the word muse is mentioned. However, what does it mean? This concept comes from ancient mythology. The Greek muses are nine sisters, patronesses of the arts and sciences. They are the daughters of Zeus himself and each of them has their own unique divine abilities. Let's take a closer look at them.
So, as stated earlier, the muses are the daughters of Zeus and the Titanide Mnemosyne, who is the goddess of memory. The very word muses (muses) comes from the Greek word “thinking”. The muses were usually depicted as young and beautiful women. They had a prophetic gift and treated creative people favorably: poets, painters, actors, in every possible way encouraging and helping them in their activities. However, for special offenses, the muses could deprive a person of inspiration. To prevent this from happening, the ancient Greeks built special temples in honor of the muses, which were called museions. It is from this word that the word “museum” comes from. The patron saint of the muses themselves was the god Apollo. Let's now take a closer look at each of the muses.
Muse Calliope - muse of epic poetry
The name of this muse from Greek can be translated as “one with a beautiful voice.” According to Diodorus, this name arose at the moment when the “beautiful word” (kalen opa) was pronounced. She is the eldest daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne.
Calliope is the mother of Orpheus, the muse of heroic poetry and eloquence. It evokes a feeling of sacrifice, which encourages a person to overcome his selfishness and fear of fate. Calliope wears a golden crown on her brow - a sign that she dominates other muses, thanks to her ability to introduce a person to the first steps on the path to his liberation. Calliope was depicted with a waxed tablet or scroll and a slate stick in her hands - a stylus, which was a bronze rod, the pointed end of which was used to write text on a wax-covered tablet. The opposite end was made flat to erase what was written.
Muse Clio - patroness of history
The accompanying attributes of this muse are a scroll of parchment or a tablet - a board with writing. Clio reminds us of what a person can achieve and helps him find his purpose.
According to Diodorus, the name comes from the word “Kleos” - “glory”. The etymology of the name is “giver of glory.” From Pierre, the Greek muse Clio had a son, Hyakinthos. Love for Pierre was inspired by Aphrodite for condemning her love for Adonis.
Muse Melpomene - muse of tragedy
In Greek mythology, Melpomene is considered the muse of the tragic genre. The name, according to Diodorus, means “melody that pleases listeners.” The image is anthropomorphic - it was described as a woman with a bandage, grape or ivy wreath on her head. Always has permanent attributes in the form of a tragic mask, sword or club. The weapon carries symbolism of the inevitability of divine punishment.
Melpomene is the mother of the sirens - sea creatures who personified the deceptive but charming surface of the sea, under which sharp cliffs or shoals are hidden. From their mother-muse, sirens inherited a divine voice with which they lured sailors.
Muse Thalia - the muse of comedy
Thalia, or in another version Phalia, is in Greek mythology the muse of comedy and light poetry, the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She was depicted with a comic mask in her hands and an ivy wreath on her head.
From Thalia and Apollo were born the Corybantes - the mythical predecessors of the priests of Cybele or Rhea in Phrygia, in wild enthusiasm, with music and dancing, serving the great mother of the gods. According to Diodorus, she received her name from prosperity (talleyn), which was glorified in poetic works for many years.
Zeus, turning into a kite, took Thalia as his wife. Out of fear of Hera's jealousy, the muse hid in the depths of the earth, where demonic creatures were born from her - paliki (in this myth she is called the nymph of Etna).
Muse Polyhymnia - muse of solemn hymns
Polyhymnia is the muse of solemn hymns in Greek mythology. According to Diodorus, she received her name from the creation of many praises (dia polles himneseos) fame to those whose name was immortalized by poetry. She patronizes poets and hymn writers. It is believed that she keeps in memory all the hymns, songs and ritual dances that glorify the Olympian gods, and she is also believed to have invented the lyre.
Polyhymnia is often depicted with a scroll in her hands, in a thoughtful pose. Polyhymnia patronizes people's study of rhetoric and oratory, which turns the speaker into an instrument of truth. She personifies the power of speech and makes a person’s speech life-giving. Polyhymnia helps to understand the mystery of the word as a real force with which you can inspire and revive, but at the same time injure and kill. This power of speech is inspiring on the path to truth.
Muse Terpsichore - muse of dance
Terpsichore is the muse of dance. According to Diodorus, it received its name from the pleasure (terpein) of spectators in the benefits shown in art. Tsets also names her name among the Muses. She is considered the patroness of dancing and choral singing. She was depicted as a young woman, with a smile on her face, sometimes in the pose of a dancer, more often sitting and playing the lyre.
Characteristic attributes: wreath on the head; in one hand she held a lyre and in the other a plectrum. This muse is associated with Dionysus, attributing to her an attribute of this god - ivy (as stated in the inscription on Helicon dedicated to Terpsichore).
Muse Urania - muse of astronomy
Urania is the muse of astronomy. The attributes of Urania were: a celestial globe and a compass. According to Diodorus, she received her name from the aspiration to heaven (uranos) of those who comprehended her art. According to one version, Urania is the mother of Hymen.
Urania personifies the power of contemplation; she calls us to leave the external chaos in which man exists and to immerse ourselves in the contemplation of the majestic running of the stars, which is a reflection of fate. This is the power of knowledge, the power that pulls towards the mysterious, pulls towards the high and beautiful - towards the Sky and the Stars.
Muse Euterpe - muse of lyric poetry
Euterpe (ancient Greek Εὐτέρπη “pleasure”) - in Greek mythology, one of the nine muses, daughters of Zeus and the Titanide Mnemosyne, the muse of lyrical poetry and music. She was depicted with a lyre or flute in her hands.
Mother of Res by the river god Strymon. According to the etymology of Diodorus, she received her name from the pleasure (terpein) of listeners who receive the benefits of education. Tsets also names her name among the Muses.
Muse Erato - muse of love poetry
Erato is the muse of lyrical and love poetry. Her name is derived from the name of the god of love Eros. According to Diodorus, she received her name in honor of the ability to be “eperasta” (desired for love and passion).
Born as a result of the union of Mnemosyne and Zeus. From Mala Erato she gave birth to Cleophema. The attribute of the muse is cithara. This divine heroine of Greek mythology is mentioned quite often in Hellenic legends.
In addition, Virgil and Apollonius of Rhodes resorted to symbolism associated with the image of the Greek muse Erato in their works. She knows how to inspire love for everything living in the soul with her art of transforming everything into beauty hidden beyond the physical.
Based on Wikipedia materials
Hellas gave the world not only fascinating myths about gods and heroes. The muses of Ancient Greece, these images of the daughters of Zeus, have long been associated with art, inspiration, insight, dreams and bright moments. Each of them was endowed with special features and attributes, people turned to them for blessings and opened temples in honor of the muses. Who were these nine muses and what mark did they leave on world culture?
Muses of Ancient Greece. Artist Yannis Stefanidis www.art-book.gr/
9 Muses of Ancient Greece
As the Greeks believed, each of the most important areas of life has its own patroness. And since their mother was Mnemosyne, who personified memory, “muse” is translated as “thinking.” And the habitat of the nine muses was certainly mountains (Helikon or Parnassus) with clear springs and shady forests. Here they danced to the sounds of the lyre of the god Apollo. It is precisely this kind of plot that can often be seen in ancient frescoes and in the paintings of European artists who were inspired by Greek mythology.
Muse Kalliopi
Calliope (Καλλιόπη) patronized epic poetry and rhetoric and was considered the noblest of muses. She was often depicted in a dreamy pose with a stylus (writing stick) and tablets or with a scroll.
Calliope was often perceived by the Greeks as the main of all muses - it was not for nothing that her head was decorated with a laurel or gold wreath. This muse symbolized love for their land, so warriors who went into battle took her images with them. Knowing how to speak fiery speeches and distinguished by her eloquence, Calliope instantly awakened heroism and a sense of sacrifice in a person.
According to some sources, Calliope was considered a virgin; according to other versions, she was the mother of Orpheus, Linus or Iolemus from Apollo. Some even claimed that Homer was her son.
Euterpe (Ευτέρπη) was considered the muse of lyric poetry and music, who was often depicted in the company of forest nymphs. She was called the Giver of Pleasure.
Among other muses, she stood out for her sophistication and femininity, and the gods could enjoy her poems endlessly. Euterpe's attributes were musical instruments syringa and aulos (progenitors of the flute and oboe), as well as a floral wreath.
From the union of Euterpe and the river god Strymon, the hero Risos was born. He commanded a detachment of Thracians in Trojan War and was killed by Diomedes, as described in Homer’s Iliad.
One of the most famous muses, whose name is familiar to everyone, is Melpomene (Μελπομένη). She was not only the patroness of tragedy, but also the mother of the owners of enchanting voices, who challenged the muses and quite expectedly lost - the gods turned them into sirens.
Then Melpomene, regretting the fate of her daughters, forever acquired her attributes: a tragic mask, a theatrical robe and a sword as a reminder of the inevitability of punishment for those who violate the will of the gods.
Melpomene, along with other muses, accompanied Apollo. She is considered the creator of varvitos - the ancient string instrument type of lyre. Through disasters and failures, the muse has experienced tragedy from all sides, but triumph is always born in tragedy. human spirit, which is what Melpomene shows people.
As the opposite of Melpomene - Waist (Θάλεια). This muse of comedy was portrayed with a comic mask. Unlike her sister, she was characterized by optimism and a light disposition, which was the reason for quarrels with Melpomene, and she was closest to Terpsichore.
There is a widespread interpretation that the mask in Talia’s hand symbolized laughter. But more and more often there are versions that the masks of this muse and Melpomene meant the acting of a person in the theater of the gods. Thalia was considered a deity good mood and fun.
As for the muse Erato (Ερατώ), she patronized lyric or love poetry, and was also a defender of love and marriage.
Erato inspired poets to create romantic works, and its constant attributes were the tambourine and the lyre. She was often depicted completely naked.
As a symbol eternal love- roses decorating the head. Inspired by Erato, poets and musicians created such works that any couple in love who heard them immediately felt the desire to be together forever.
But Polyhymnia (Πολύμνια) in mythology she was considered the muse of pantomime and hymns. She patronized the study of oratory and the writing of hymns. Hence the most ancient interpretation of her name: πολύ + ύμνος . It was for her ancient world was grateful for the ritual dances and songs that glorified the Olympian gods, and it was by her will that the speaker’s speech became fiery.
This muse was always represented as serious, deep in thought, sometimes with a finger pressed to her lips in a call for silence. Later version of her name πολύ + μνεία meant help in learning, in memorizing, that is, here she approaches Mnemosyne.
With faith in the powers of Polyhymnia, the Greeks went to important performances - they just had to call her in advance so that the muse had time to bestow the person with the necessary oratorical qualities. Polyhymnia was sometimes also considered the muse of geometry, meditation and agriculture.
Muse Terpsichore (Τερψιχόρη), in turn, was “responsible” for choral singing and dancing. She was often depicted playing the lyre or in the pose of a dancer.
It is believed that the art of Terpsichore symbolized the unity of spiritual impulses, natural principles and body movements. It was the expression of the complete unity of man and nature that was the main goal of the dances. If a dancer wanted to learn to move to the rhythm of his heart, he immediately called Terpsichore for help.
In mythology, the patroness of history was Clio (Κλειώ), who was depicted with a spiritual and thoughtful face. In her hands she held either a papyrus scroll or a scroll box. Clio's head was decorated laurel wreath- a symbol of nobility. She was often depicted with an hourglass or with a bugle, which she blew to announce some glorious event.
The muse inspired a love of the past and history, which was always valuable to the Greeks. Clio included even the smallest events in her scrolls - nothing escaped her attention or was forgotten. She was responsible for the accuracy of the description of events, both verbally and in writing.
Somehow Clio allowed herself irony about Aphrodite’s feelings for Adonis; in retaliation for this, she sent Clio a passion for the hero Pierre (from his name - the Greek region of Pieria). As a result of this relationship, Clio had a son, Iakinthos.
Another, ninth, muse - Urania (Ουρανία). This muse patronized astronomy and astrology and was one of the wisest daughters of Zeus. She always had a compass in her hands to determine the distances between the stars and a globe.
Moreover, the Greeks considered Urania the patroness of other sciences, including. It is interesting that this muse, like the others, did not patronize art, but therefore symbolized the complete harmony of music, poetry and the celestial spheres - one is impossible without the other. Urania was often credited with the qualities of a soothsayer.
Urania's place of residence was the celestial sphere, the sky - ουρανός.
Worship of the Muses in Culture
The muses of Ancient Greece, although they were a figment of the imagination, made a very real contribution to world culture. It is enough to remember how many poems and poems were dedicated to them, not to mention the very name “muse”, which became a household word. Among the poets who sang them were Byron, Yesenin, Fet, Pushkin and, of course, Homer. In honor of them, museums were built - temples that concentrated artistic and cultural life Greece. The most famous was the Alexandria Museum, and later this word gave rise to the name “museum”.
The muses inspired famous artists who portrayed them as they imagined them. For example, Gustave Moreau transferred images of muses to the canvas “Apollo and the 9 Muses,” in which the girls float carefree behind a seated Apollo. Also, Jean-Marc Nattier turned to the images of muses in the film “Thalia” and Eustache Lesueur in the film “The Muses”. Andrea Appiani depicted the muses on Parnassus dancing to the lyre of Apollo. The sculpture also embodies many images of muses. In addition to Greece itself, their statues can be seen in the Hermitage, and the most valuable sarcophagus with bas-reliefs of muses is exhibited in the Louvre.
Elena Meteleva