A painting of three of the Graces, most likely: Aglaea, Euphrosyne and Thalia.
The Charites, later known as The Graces, are a collective group of Goddesses in Greek Mythology, associated with charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, goodwill, and fertility. The best known members are the triplet sisters, Thalia, Aglaia and Euphrosyne, who each have their own speciality.
Members[]
Main Three (The Three Graces)[]
The most well known of The Graces/Charites are:
Thalia- The Goddess of festivity and rich banquets.
Euphrosyne- The Goddess of good cheer, joy, mirth and merriment.
Aglaea- The Goddess of beauty, grace, charm, splendour, glory, magnificence, and adornment.
Younger Graces[]
Each of these Goddesses are sometimes referred to as being Charites, depending on the account within Greek Mythology:
Pasithea- The Goddess of relaxation and meditation.
Eucleia-The Goddess of glory and good repute.
Eupheme- The Goddess of words of good omen, praise, acclaims, shouts of triumph, and applause.
Euthenia- The Goddess of prosperity.
Philophrosyne- The Goddess of welcome, friendliness and kindness.
Lesser Known Graces[]
Other Graces, lesser mentioned in the accounts include: Cleta ("Renowned"), Phaenna ("Bright"), Hegemone ("Leader"), Paregoros ("Consolation"), Charis ("Grace"), and Kale ("Beauty"). The name Antheia ("Blossoms"), Eudaimonia ("Happiness"), Euthymia ("Good Mood"), Eutychia ("Good Luck"), Paidia ("Play"), Pandaisia ("Banquet"), and Pannychis ("Night Festivities") were also found on an ancient vase painting about The Graces.
Genealogy and Family[]
Most of the Graces are the daughters of Zeus and his third wife, Eurynome, by the most popular account. However other accounts mention different parents (see in Trivia). On the other hand, four of the younger Graces, Eupheme, Eucleia, Euthenia and Philophrosyne were recorded to be the daughters of the Grace, Aglaia and Hephaestus, God of the forge.
Stories[]
The Charites (or Graces) were born to bring goodness into the world, they are part of the Goddess Aphrodite's entourage, alongside, Eros, Hebe and Peitho.
When the first human woman, Pandora was created, the Charites and Peitho gifted her with necklaces and other finery.
The oldest two Charites, Thalia and Euphrosyne were never recorded as marrying, staying virgins. Aglaea however was married to Hephaestus, God of the Forge and later had four daughters.
There is a story of one the Younger Charites, Pasithea, being the love interest of the ancient God of Sleep, Hypnos. Hera promised Hypnos, Pasithea's hand in marriage if he could make Zeus fall asleep during a period within the Trojan Wars, after he completed the mission, Pasithea and Hypnos married each other.
Roles and Responsibilities[]
The Charites' job was to attend to the other Olympians (Gods) especially during feasts and banquets. As well as this they were attendants of Aphrodite, who during one point, bathed and anointed her in Pathos, after she left Olympus, following the exposure of her and Ares' affair, they additionally were said to dye or weave Aphrodite's peplos (garment) . As attendants of Aphrodite, they also danced in celebration of the birth of Apollo with Aphrodite, Hebe, and Harmonia. They were often referenced as dancing and singing with Apollo and the Muses too. Pindar also referred to them as the guardians of the ancient Minyans and the queens of Orchomenus who have their thrones beside Apollo's.
Visual Art[]
In classical/traditional art, the three main Charites were often being depicted naked entwined in an embrace, this appears to be a later development, as in depictions from Archaic and Classical Greece, they are finely dressed. In contrast, 3rd century B.C.E. poets Callimachus and Euphorion describe the trio as being nude. The earliest representation of these goddesses was found in a temple of Apollo in Thermon dated to the 7th to 6th century B.C.E.
The Charites have been depicted by many, many artists over time. Such as in Ancient Greece and Rome, the Renaissance and beyond. They have been depicted in a variety of mediums such as sculptures, paintings and in jewellery and décor.
The most famous Visual Arts on these Greek Goddesses include a fresco from Pompeii dating back to 1-50 AD , which depicts the three main Charites nude, a late 15th century painting by the painter, Botticelli, which depicted the main three Charites dancing in a circle, scantily clad aside Aphrodite. In 1817, the Italian Neoclassical sculptor, Antonio Canova finished a fine art marble sculpture of three nude women, titled The Three Graces, which is currently located in the Hermitage Museum. The French sculptor, James Pradier also completed a sculpture in 1831 of the three main Graces, which is currently exhibited in The Lourve.
Not to mention they have been the subjects of many, modern artists across the world!
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
In other more, rare accounts, the Elder Graces were described as the daughters of Dionysus with Coronis, Dionysus with Aphrodite or of Helios and the Naiad Aegle or of Hera by an unnamed father. Other possible names of their mother by Zeus are Eurydome, Eurymedousa, or Euanthe.
According to Nonnus, Pasithea (one of the younger Graces) is the daughter of Dionysus and Hera.