Horae
The Horae (Horai, sing. Hora) were the personification and goddesses of the seasons and the hours and, later on, were regarded as goddesses of order and justice in Greek mythology. They were the daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis and were usually three in number. However, their names and numbers differ depending on the source.
They were closely associated with the Graces, the Fates, and the goddess Aphrodite and guarded the gates of Olympus. They were considered benevolent and kind, often bringing good things to the gods and humankind, and were connected to everything good and beautiful in nature. In art, they were often depicted as beautiful maidens in threes, carrying produce from different seasons. The English word 'hour' is derived from the Greek and Latin hora.
Parentage & Names
As mentioned by Hesiod (c. 700 BCE) in his Theogony, the Horae were the daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis:
And shining Themis was his second wife. She bore the Horae: Order, blooming Peace, And Justice, who attend the works of men.
(Hesiod, Theogony, 900-903).
Depending on the source, the names and number of the Horae differ, although most sources, including Hesiod, Pseudo-Apollodorus (c. 1st or 2nd century CE), and The Orphic Hymns list the Horae as being named Eunomia (Lawfulness), Eirene or Irene (Peace), and Dike or Dice (Justice). Other authors, including Pausanias (c. 115 to c. 180 CE) and Pseudo-Hyginus (Gaius Julius Hyginus) (c. 64 BCE to 17 CE), gave their names as Carpo (Fruit), Auxo (Growth), and Thallo (Blooming) or Europia (Abundance), Pherusa (Substance), and Orthosie (Prosperity).
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