![]() ![]() In this capacity they assist every morning in yoking the celestial horses to the glorious chariot of the sun, which they again help to unyoke when he sinks to rest. ![]() The Horae were also the deities of the fast-fleeting hours, and thus presided over the smaller, as well as the larger divisions of time. Each of these graceful maidens took upon herself a separate function: Eunomia presided more especially over state life, Dice guarded the interests of individuals, whilst Irene, the gayest and brightest of the three sisters, was the light-hearted companion of Dionysus. They are inseparably connected with all that is good and beautiful in nature, and as the regular alternation of the seasons, like all her other operations, demands the most perfect order and regularity, the Horae, being the daughters of Themis, came to be regarded as the representatives of order, and the just administration of human affairs in civilized communities. They also appear in company with the Graces in the train of Aphrodite, and are seen with Apollo and the Muses. When they are depicted separately as personifications of the different seasons, the Horae representing spring appears laden with flowers, that of summer bears a sheaf of corn, whilst the personification of autumn has her hands filled with clusters of grapes and other fruits. ![]() The Horae are always regarded as friendly towards mankind, and totally devoid of guile or subtlety they are represented as joyous, but gentle maidens, crowned with flowers, and holding each other by the hand in a round dance. In some parts of Greece there were but two Horae, Thallo, goddess of the bloom, and Carpo, of the corn and fruit-bearing season. It may appear strange that these divinities, presiding over the seasons, should be but three in number, but this is quite in accordance with the notions of the ancient Greeks, who only recognized spring, summer, and autumn as seasons nature being supposed to be wrapt in death or slumber, during that cheerless and unproductive portion of the year which we call winter. Their names were Eunomia, Dice, and Irene. The mythical story and history of the HoraeĬlosely allied to the Graces were the Horae, or Seasons, who were also represented as three beautiful maidens, daughters of Zeus and Themis. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |