This article began with a conversation between two schoolchildren, accidentally overheard in the corridors educational institution. Two boys were desperately arguing about who was the muse of the dance - Urania or Terpsichore. They gave reasons and even referred to a certain chapter in the history textbook. The students were getting excited, and it seemed like a fight was brewing. But, finally, the debaters looked into the saving Internet and went home. Do you know the answer to the question that caused the boys’ discord? If not, then our article will be very useful to you.
Who are the muses
Absolutely all people have heard about these ephemeral creatures. The ancient Greek goddesses inspired people to create incredible works of art and generously endowed them with talents. Who really are these women who combine all the brightest, gentlest and most beautiful things in this world?
The ancient Greeks believed beautiful muses daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She herself was born from the titans Uranus and Gaia, and was a very revered goddess of memory in Hellas. According to legend, Zeus was fascinated by Mnemosyne and from their love nine beautiful daughters were born, called muses. Translated from Greek language this word is translated as "thinking". And it is not surprising if we remember that their mother was the goddess of memory.
The muses were so important in the life of the Hellenes that each of them was given one of the spheres of life ordinary people. Moreover, even people who did not have special talents revered the daughters of Mnemosyne and asked for their blessings for certain actions.
Muses: how many were there?
Today it is generally accepted that there have always been nine muses. But in fact, there are many mysteries in this issue. Homer first mentioned the muses, but he did not name their number or names. His immortal works wrote about one or several goddesses. Later the muses got names, and their number increased to three. In some written sources Four muses were also mentioned, but quite often they were confused with the Charites, goddesses of fertility. Some time later, Hesiod, in his poem dedicated to the muses, listed them all along with their names. It is in this form that they have survived to this day:
- Calliope.
- Clio.
- Melpomene.
- Waist.
- Polyhymnia.
- Terpsichore.
- Euterpe.
- Erato.
- Urania is the muse of science.
Usually goddesses appeared before people in the form of young and beautiful girls who had a lot of talents. The Hellenes especially appreciated the incredible ability of the muses to look into the past and future. They could predict the fate of those they favored.
The muses treated poets, artists and musicians with special love. They came to them in dreams or in reality and bestowed inspiration, after which it became much easier to create. Standing a little apart in this group of patrons of the arts is Urania, the muse of astronomy. But we'll talk about it a little later.
Where did the muses live?
The Hellenes believed that all muses live under the patronage of Apollo. On Mount Parnassus, in the shade of evergreen trees, they indulge in fun, sing and dance. At the foot of the mountain there is a spring - the Kastalsky spring. If the muses treated someone with water from this sacred source, then he acquired the ability to create and give people his creativity.
Quite often, ancient Greek masters depicted the muses together with Apollo, who controls their noisy round dance. This plot was found on bas-reliefs in the houses of the nobility and on various utensils. Archaeologists also found it in the ruins of temples dedicated to Apollo.
Often the muses took part in the celebrations of Dionysus. They sang and danced for him, and also inspired many gods to do various things for the benefit of people.
Cult of the Muses
The muses were considered extraordinary creatures that connect the world of people and the world of the gods of Olympus. All of them, cheerful and noisy (and even the serious muse Urania), watched over the purity of human thoughts. After all, only a person who is ready to renounce everything dark and vain can count on the help of the ancient Greek muses.
The Muses were so revered in Greece that temples were built in their honor. They were built according to a special architectural plan, and the praise of the goddesses took place in a very unusual way. Temples in honor of the muses, museions, were not so much a place of worship, but rather the center of cultural and scientific life.
Archaeologists have found the ruins of the temple of the muses in the sanctuary of Pythagoras. Nine sculptures of muses surrounded the goddess Hestia and personified one of the sciences. For example, it was believed that Urania, the ninth muse of astronomy and astrology, occupies one of the most important roles in this temple. She blesses those who watch starry sky, describes the constellations and makes various maps.
Alexandria Museyon
The most famous among all the temples dedicated to the muses was the Alexandria Museion. It was like an extensive research center. On large territory under the arches of the temple there were libraries, philosophical halls, menageries and museums. The most people came here famous figures Hellas, they had the opportunity to communicate, work together and make discoveries. In our time, the works of Euclid and Archimedes, who worked precisely in the Alexandria Museion, are widely known. According to legend, after the death of Alexander the Great, his body in a sarcophagus was transferred to this building, but in further body The great commander disappeared and his whereabouts have not yet been found.
Throughout the territory of Ancient Greece, archaeologists have found the ruins of museons; similar structures were also found among Roman temple complexes. This indicates that scientific thought developed partly thanks to fictitious goddesses who united scientists in one territory and inspired them to work.
Muses of Ancient Greece: Urania
Urania was considered youngest daughter Mnemosynes. She was very different from her sisters and was the most serious of them. It seems a little strange to many of our contemporaries that the serious Urania, the muse of astronomy, was among the host of cheerful and talented girls. The history of the emergence of this science and the attitude of the ancient Greeks to it can shed light on this mystery.
In fact, astronomy for the Hellenes is a basic science that served as an explanation of the universe and the source of many philosophical ideas and movements. This science was studied in Egypt, Mesopotamia and Babylon. It was through it that the ancient Greeks sought to penetrate the great secrets of the cosmos.
The muse Urania called to reject everything earthly and plunge into absolute new world, open only to a select few. It was to them that the goddess was ready to help and bless them in every possible way. hard labour scientific research.
Urania, the muse of astronomy in ancient Greek mythology: description
Archaeologists found a large number of images of the patroness scientific disciplines. Usually the muse Urania on canvases and found bas-reliefs is serious girl with sphere and measuring instrument. With its help, she determines the distance between celestial bodies.
Her parents named her in honor of the god Uranus, because he was one of the most ancient deities of this world, and even the great Zeus treated him with great respect. The muse Urania patronized not only astronomy, but also other sciences. Therefore, the Hellenes believed that it represents complete harmony and perfection. After all, science cannot be separated from art, the ancient Greek thinkers were convinced of this. It was Urania who was the most powerful soothsayer among her sisters. She knew how to penetrate the subtlest layers of the past and future faster and more accurately than all other goddesses.
The muses themselves considered Urania the most knowledgeable and strict; she was the goddess who punished stupid people for rivalry with the muses. And in this she was cold-blooded and ruthless.
The Legend of the Daughters of Pier
The myths preserve the story of King Pier, who lived in Macedonia and had nine beautiful daughters. The girls were not only amazingly beautiful, but also talented. Each of them had in a pleasant voice and perfect ear for music. One day, the vain princesses decided to compete with the muses themselves and challenged them to a creative duel. However, in this competition of talents, Calliope won the championship, but the stubborn girls refused to recognize her victory and declared the results of the competition invalid. In response to such insolence, Urania turned nine beauties into forty, who were called upon to forever announce the surroundings with their harsh and unpleasant voices.
That is why the Hellenes believed that only with pure thoughts and hearts can one turn to the muses.
The image of Urania in art
Many museums around the world display sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting muses, including Urania. But few people know that poets often dedicated poems and prose to her. For example, Lomonosov mentioned the muse in one of his odes to the empress. And Fyodor Tyutchev and Joseph Brodsky released a whole series of poems dedicated to the muse of astronomy and science.
Ancient Greek mythology is extremely confusing, and the uninitiated can easily become confused by the pantheon of gods and various ephemeral creatures. But muses are a special page in myths Ancient world. Few people have any idea of how important Urania occupied among her sisters and other goddesses. We have collected the most Interesting Facts about the patroness of sciences:
- Urania, together with the goddesses of the sea, accompanied the dead souls to the island of the Happy.
- There is a Urania Museum on the territory of our country.
- Pythagoras wrote treatise, where he explained the similarity of construction rules musical compositions with distance between celestial spheres, which the muse of astronomy knew how to measure.
- Urania was often compared to Pallas Athena, the patroness of Greek Athens.
- In ancient myths there is a mention that Apollo himself was captivated by the mind of Urania and fell in love with her, from this union she gave birth to a son.
Many contemporaries believe that the story of ancient Greek muses is not without meaning. And in our current age of progress, it would not hurt for humanity to come up with another muse that would guide and inspire us. But it’s hardly worth inventing something new where everything has already been done for us. After all, the muse Urania is not only the patroness of the sciences, but also of everything that they give. And, therefore, it is she who can be considered the muse of progress caused by the scientific revolution in the minds of people.
If we lived in ancient Greece, Skolkovo, the cradle of innovation, would probably be called a museon. A place where the muses live and where, inspired by the magical daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, something new appears. But we are not in Greece. True, this should not at all prevent us from knowing who the muses are and how many there are. The Muses were the nine daughters of the goddess of memory Mnemosyne and Zeus, nine beautiful girls living on Mount Parnassus and Helicon. Each of them is designed to inspire people to do the most important things. The number of inspirational girls can hardly be considered random. The Greeks believed that the triad is a symbol of absolute harmony, and common task muses was to bring harmony to life. You shouldn't even try to count the works in which muses appear. The muses were painted on canvas and frescoes, embodied in marble and bronze. Poems and plays were written about them. Called to inspire, the muses themselves became a source of inspiration. Let's get to know them better.
Calliope
The elder muse's name is Calliope. This is the muse of patriotism, love for the Motherland and sacrifice. She inspires warriors, makes them hear with their hearts beautiful voice Motherland. Calliope is often depicted with a crown or laurel wreath, which emphasizes the status of this noble maiden. When the muse began to talk about nobility and honor, the gods of Olympus fell silent, for there is nothing more important than this. Calliope inspired her son Orpheus that every word in a poem or song should return the soul dead warrior and there is no task more honorable than this.
Clio
The muse of history, Clio, is very close in spirit to Calliope. This is understandable; without knowledge of one’s history, love for the Motherland and pride in it are impossible. Every, even the most seemingly insignificant event, Clio brings into her scrolls, because history must be impartial. Clio preached impartiality so zealously that one day Aphrodite made her repent of it. Clio too often blamed the goddess of love for her frivolity and frequent shifts hobbies. Angered by the muse's interference, Aphrodite ordered her son Eros to hit Clio with a love arrow and shoot Pieron with an arrow that would kill passion. Having experienced all the torments of unfulfilled love, Clio became less categorical. However, she continued to impartially record history, for which she received the respect and love of generations
Melpomene
Melpomene, muse of tragedy. This muse is often remembered in connection with the theater; everyone has heard the expression “servants of Melpomene”? She is depicted with a mournful mask in her hand. Some researchers argue that this mask symbolizes sad resignation to fate - people will always be just actors in the theater of the gods. Melpomene patronizes not only theater actors, but those who dare to go against fate. It is unknown whether the muse would have been so kind to the rebellious if not for her own, sad story. The siren daughters of Melpomene, owner of a wonderful voice, dared to compete with the muses. For their unprecedented insolence they were punished and turned into birds. Then Melpomene vowed to forever mourn both her daughters and all mortals who decided to challenge the gods and fate.
Waist
More than one sad Melpomene patronizes the acting fraternity. She has an optimistic sister, Thalia, a muse of comedy. Cheerful and carefree, she holds a laughing mask in her hands. Either a symbol of laughter, or the same reminder that mortals are just toys in the hands of the gods. According to myths, Thalia was the wife of Apollo, but one day Zeus was flattered by the merry frolic. Knowing his wife Hera, Thalia decided to hide out of harm’s way from the love of the Thunderer all the way into the dungeon of Hades. This is such a sitcom.
Euterpe
It was not only Calliope who the gods of Olympus were ready to listen to without interrupting. During the moments when the muse of poetry and lyricism Euterpe read the poems to the quiet chimes of Orpheus’ harp, the celestials froze with delight. Euterpe, endowed with the gift of special sensual femininity, inspired poets to the most piercing lines and exquisite rhymes. Happy is the one to whom Euterpe gave at least a little of her attention!
Erato
But if Euterpe patronized all poets, then the muse of Erato gave inspiration for the creation love poetry and wedding songs. The myth of Erat tells us that one day the muse got bored at a wedding. Then she approached the blind musician and whispered something in his ear. And the musician played such a song that all the lovers were filled with the intention of being together all their lives and believed that death could not separate them. Decorated with a pink wreath, Erato convinces all lovers that love is a great gift and is stronger than death.
Polyhymnia
The gift of persuasion is the most powerful weapon that both god and mortal can possess. Before important speech the speakers asked the muse Polyhymnia for help. This muse, the patroness of hymns, could fill a speech with fire and feeling, and force any audience to listen to the speaker inspired by her. Polyhymnia can also be considered the muse of prayer; only a warm, inspired heart can convey its requests to the gods.
Muses, I pray - from the crowd of the sinful human race
Eternally draw the wandering soul to the sacred light.
From an ancient hymn
From time immemorial, the arrival of a muse has been associated with the most beautiful and brightest moments in life - moments of insight and inspiration, the appearance of something new, meeting a dream. Why do they say that meeting a muse can completely change your life? Why did ancient poets and storytellers, when starting to perform their songs, turn to the muses asking for a blessing? Why did the ancient Greeks, seeing off friends in long journey or blessing them for some great deed or new step, often said: “Go, and may the muses be with you!”? And in the center of Athens, in the Acropolis, there has always been a temple dedicated to the muses - the Museion. And the first historian known to us, Herodotus, named his works after the muses (Clio, Euterpe, Calliope, Thalia) and dedicated his documentary records to them. Why did Renaissance poets take vows of fidelity and service to the muses, and why did artists of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries often depict themselves next to the muse? Why do we often hear now: “if inspiration comes”, “if the muse comes”? Who are these mysterious and beautiful strangers, nine sisters dressed in snow-white clothes? Is it just a beautiful myth that has gone into the distant past?
_______________________________
* Plectrum- a plate with a pointed corner, through which sounds are produced when playing some plucked instruments.
** Castalia(Greek) - nymph, daughter of the river god Achelous. Fleeing from the persecution of Apollo, Kastalia turned into a spring near Mount Parnassus - the Castalian Spring, in the waters of which pilgrims heading to Delphi were purified. The Castalian key is a source of inspiration.
*** Helicon- a mountain in central Greece (in the south of Boeotia), where, according to Greek myths, lived the muses. On Helicon there was a source of Hippocrene, or Hippocrene, which arose from the blow of the hoof of the winged horse Pegasus. Therefore, Helikon is a place of poetic inspiration.
Blessed is the man if the muses love him:
How pleasant is his voice pouring from his lips!
If unexpected grief suddenly takes over your soul,
If someone is drying up, tormented by sadness, then all he has to do is
A song to hear the servant of the muses, the singer of the glorious
The exploits of ancient people, the blessed Olympic gods,
And he immediately forgets about his grief and worries
He doesn’t remember anymore: he was completely changed by the gift of the goddesses.
Hesiod. "Theogony"
Did you know, Dear friends Where does the word “music” come from? From Greek word"Muses" (Μοΰσαι), which meant "thinking". This is how the nine daughters of the main god Zeus and the goddess of memory Mnemosyne were called in ancient Greek mythology.
It happened like this. After defeating the Titans olympian gods They asked Zeus to create creatures that could, through singing and dancing, perpetuate the memory of their great deeds. With your wondrous voices and dances muses glorified Zeus, Gaia, Kronos, Ocean, Night, Helios.
Muses were companions and inspirers of the god of harmony and art Apollo (or Musaget, that is, the Music Leader). They dance to the accompaniment of his zither (ancient musical instrument), sing hymns and are the personification of everything that is most beautiful, bright, and wise, including all types of art, science and morality.
They were always depicted as beautiful young women with spiritual faces and were called differently - Pierides, Parnassids, Heliconides, Parnassian sisters, Castalids, Queens of Helicon - depending on the place where they were especially revered. In honor of the muses, temples of Museion (hence “museum” and “music”) were erected throughout Greece.
First muses mentioned in the works of Homer. According to legend, the first to offer sacrifices to them were the terrible loada giants - Ephialtes and Ot. It was they who named the muses, believing that there were only three of them: Mneme (Μνήμη, Memory), Meleta (Mελέτη, Experience), Aioda (Λοιδή, Song).
Some time later, King Pier increased their number to nine and gave them names:
Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, encouraged a person to overcome the feeling of fear of fate, inspired him to exploits and sacrifice.
Clio, the muse of history, reminded us of the heights that a person is capable of achieving and helped him choose his path in life.
Muse of tragedy Melpomene and the muse of comedy Waist embody the theater of life and life experience.
Polyhymnia, the muse of sacred hymns and faith embodied in music is a prayer, an appeal to all that is most sacred and dear.
Muse of dancing Terpsichore gives people harmony between soul and body, between external and internal.
Muse of the starry sky and astronomy Urania represents a thirst for knowledge, a sacred desire for the high and beautiful, for the sky and stars.
Euterpe is the muse of divine music, born of Nature itself and filling a person with the highest feelings.
And the last muse of love and love lyrics Erato personifies Great Love, giving wings and carrying away human feelings up.
Why did people honor these daughters of Zeus so much? According to the legend muses were with a person at all fateful moments of life - birth and death, love and marriage, choice of path and destiny, in moments of creative insight. They were also believed to have the gift of foreseeing the future.
Personifying all the sciences and arts, the muses symbolized the forces hidden in man that must manifest themselves during his life. Muses discovered in souls the ability to touch Eternity, the Divine, and embody memories of this in poetry, music, hymns and dance.
They patronized all servants of art, giving inspiration to poets, musicians, artists and philosophers. But vanity and deception were severely punished. Therefore one of important qualities a person had to have purity of aspirations and thoughts in order to embody the sacred divine principle in his works.
Hesiod in his ode Theogony says that muses“songs are sung about the laws that govern everything, the good morals of the gods are glorified with lovely voices.”
Thus, muses were considered link between the divine and man. Since ancient times, the ancient Greeks, and then the ancient Romans, the inhabitants of the Middle Ages and especially the Renaissance, turned to the great principles of the nine muses. Our genius poet exclaimed: “O muse of fiery satire! Come to my calling cry!” (Pushkin A.S. “To the Muse”).
But do not think that meeting the muses is the privilege of the elite. The blessed moment, when a still unclear, vague image of desire appears in the mind, the ancient Greeks called a visit to the muse. From that moment on, the desire turns into a dream and remains in the heart, and we understand that we cannot live without it. And then the muses give us the strength to fulfill our desires. But it must be remembered that aspirations must be pure and bright. And then muses they won't leave us.
Muses, I pray - from the crowd of the sinful human race
Eternally draw the wandering soul to the sacred light.
From an ancient hymn
From time immemorial, the arrival of a muse has been associated with the most beautiful and brightest moments in life - moments of insight and inspiration, the appearance of something new, meeting a dream. Why do they say that meeting a muse can completely change your life? Why did ancient poets and storytellers, when starting to perform their songs, turn to the muses asking for a blessing? Why did the ancient Greeks, seeing off friends on a long journey or blessing them for some great deed or new step, often said: “Go, and may the muses be with you!”? And in the center of Athens, in the Acropolis, there has always been a temple dedicated to the muses - the Museion. And the first historian known to us, Herodotus, named his works after the muses (Clio, Euterpe, Calliope, Thalia) and dedicated his documentary records to them. Why did Renaissance poets take vows of fidelity and service to the muses, and why did artists of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries often depict themselves next to the muse? Why do we often hear now: “if inspiration comes”, “if the muse comes”? Who are these mysterious and beautiful strangers, nine sisters dressed in snow-white clothes? Is it just a beautiful myth that has gone into the distant past?
_______________________________
* Plectrum- a plate with a pointed corner, through which sounds are produced when playing some plucked instruments.
** Castalia(Greek) - nymph, daughter of the river god Achelous. Fleeing from the persecution of Apollo, Kastalia turned into a spring near Mount Parnassus - the Castalian Spring, in the waters of which pilgrims heading to Delphi were purified. The Castalian key is a source of inspiration.
*** Helicon- a mountain in central Greece (in the south of Boeotia), where, according to Greek myths, the muses lived. On Helicon there was a source of Hippocrene, or Hippocrene, which arose from the blow of the hoof of the winged horse Pegasus. Therefore, Helikon is a place of poetic inspiration.