Greek Mythology: The Graces In Roman Mythology
The Graces
In Roman mythology the Graces (Plural of Grace) are the trio of minor deities representing joy, charm, and beauty. Originally, however, the Graces were simply considered as the goddesses of fertility and fecundity, including vegetation and animal life. In Greek mythology they are known as the Charites (Plural of Charis). In some accounts, Charis was not merely the singular form of the Charities rather it was the name of a single member of this group of deities. The Graces are also called Gratiae (Plural of Gratia), Kharites (Plural of Kharis), and Charitae.
Parentage
In majority accounts, the Graces are the offspring of Zeus (Roman equivalent: Jupiter; also called: Jove) and the nymph Eurynome. Some other myths however, associate a few other mothers …show more content…
For instance, in some part of Greece people assigned three other deities to the Graces: Cleta (sound), Pasithea (shining), and Peitho (persuasion). Again, in Sparta, Thalia was disregarded as one of the Graces and was replaced by Cleta. As per legends Pasithea, was married to Hypnos (Roman equivalent: Somnus), the primeval god of sleep.
Presentation in Arts
Over the centuries, the presentation of the Graces had undergone significant transformations. In classical sculptures and mosaics they were presented clothed but in Hellenistic artworks they were presented either nude or wearing transparent clothing.They were sometimes crowned with myrtle and held sprigs of myrtle in their hands.
Since the Graces were minor deities, not a single myth presented them independently.They always appeared as attendants of other gods or goddesses, most notably of Venus (Greek equivalent: Aphrodite) and Cupid (Greek equivalent: Eros). Besides, they also appeared among the attendants of Apollo, Dionysus, and Hermes (Greek equivalent: Mercury).Together with the Nymphs and the Muses, they entertained the gods by dancing around in a circle by holding hands to Apollo's
In Roman mythology the Graces (Plural of Grace) are the trio of minor deities representing joy, charm, and beauty. Originally, however, the Graces were simply considered as the goddesses of fertility and fecundity, including vegetation and animal life. In Greek mythology they are known as the Charites (Plural of Charis). In some accounts, Charis was not merely the singular form of the Charities rather it was the name of a single member of this group of deities. The Graces are also called Gratiae (Plural of Gratia), Kharites (Plural of Kharis), and Charitae.
Parentage
In majority accounts, the Graces are the offspring of Zeus (Roman equivalent: Jupiter; also called: Jove) and the nymph Eurynome. Some other myths however, associate a few other mothers …show more content…
For instance, in some part of Greece people assigned three other deities to the Graces: Cleta (sound), Pasithea (shining), and Peitho (persuasion). Again, in Sparta, Thalia was disregarded as one of the Graces and was replaced by Cleta. As per legends Pasithea, was married to Hypnos (Roman equivalent: Somnus), the primeval god of sleep.
Presentation in Arts
Over the centuries, the presentation of the Graces had undergone significant transformations. In classical sculptures and mosaics they were presented clothed but in Hellenistic artworks they were presented either nude or wearing transparent clothing.They were sometimes crowned with myrtle and held sprigs of myrtle in their hands.
Since the Graces were minor deities, not a single myth presented them independently.They always appeared as attendants of other gods or goddesses, most notably of Venus (Greek equivalent: Aphrodite) and Cupid (Greek equivalent: Eros). Besides, they also appeared among the attendants of Apollo, Dionysus, and Hermes (Greek equivalent: Mercury).Together with the Nymphs and the Muses, they entertained the gods by dancing around in a circle by holding hands to Apollo's