Hercules (Heracles)

                      
                                                      

                                 Heracles, Divine Hero

Hercules and Cerberus at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna (1)

Young Hercules Strangling Snake, 2nd century CE, Capitoline Museums, Rome, Italy (2)

Early Life

Much like many in Greek mythology, Hercules was an illegitimate child to one of his parents. Zeus had laid with Alcmene enraging his wife Hera, who cast her rage upon one Hercules, the illegitimate child of her husband (Zeus).  Zeus had proclaimed that the next-born son was to be the ruler of Greece. Hera, in her jealousy, delayed Hercules's birth, ensuring that his cousin Eurystheus would be born first, ensuring Eurystheus's title as king. So Hercules spent his life under the rule of his cousin, and with Hera’s persistent pursuit of revenge upon him. His first feat against Hera is early on as an infant when she sent two serpents to his cradle to kill him, but he strangled them with ease.

The 12 Labors

    Hercules, now married to Kero the king of Thebes daughter Megara is finally driven to madness by Hera's rain. Having gone mad from an interference by Hera, Hercules kills his wife and their 5 children. Frantic and filled with guilt and sorrow, Hercules seeks the advice of Apollo through his Orcal in Delphi. He is told to offer his services to his cousin, and the king of Argos, Eurystheus. Again, Hera intervenes in Hercules’s life and influences the king to give Hercules trying and dangerous tasks, and here the famous 12 labors are born.  

1. Slay the Nemean Lion

• For his first task, Hercules is sent to slay the Nemean Lion, a creature with impenetrable skin. Using his bare hands. Hercules strangled the lion and built armor from its impenetrable pelt.

2. Slay the Lernaean Hydra

• Second Hercules is asked to go head to head with Lernaean Hydra, a snake-like animal that bears the head of a lion. But when the head of the creature is removed, two more would grow in its place. Accompanied by his nephew Iolaos, the two conquered the creature together. After defeating the Hydra, Hercules dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood. 

3. Capture the Golden (Ceryneian) Hind

• Next Hercules is meant to catch the Ceryneian Hind, a deer sacred to Artemis, and bring it back to Eurystheus alive. The hind was a swift creature, but after a year long chase in its pursuit, Hercules captured the animal. 

4. Capture the Erymanthian Boar.

• After the capture of the Ceryneian Hind, Hercules is sent to capture the Erymanthian Boar and bring it to Mycenae. Once again, Hercules uses his patience and smarts to follow and eventually capture the boar, tying its feet and carrying it on his shoulders all the way to Mycenae. 

5. To clear the Augean Stables, or cleanse

• Then Hercules is put to the task of cleaning the King of Augean’s stables. Elis, king of Augeias, had a herd of animals gifted to him by his father Helios. The sheer size of excrement the herd produced compromised the city's health. Tasked with the surely insurmountable job of clearing the herds stables in one day. Hercules goes to the king and asks for some of his finest cattle in trade for clearing of the stables. The king in utter joy at the prospect happily obliges. There are several versions that detail how he completed this task. In some, Hercules buried the dung in two holes on either side of the stables and then redirected the rivers Alpheios and Pineios to flush the holes out. While in others, Hercules only redirects the rivers to flush out the stables.

6. To kill the Stymphalian Birds

• Following this Hercules is assigned to get rid of a flock of Stymphalian Birds, often depicted as man-eating birds, with metallic feathers. To purge of the birds, Hercules uses brass castanets, a cymbal like instrument, gifted to him by Athena to spook the birds into flight allowing him to shoot them down with his arrows. 

7. To kill the Cretan Bull

• Preceding that, Hercules is told to conquer the Cretan Bull, a ferocious beast that was tormenting Crete. In some interpretations of his story, Hercules kills the bull. But in most stories, he gets permission from the king of Crete, King Minos, to take the bull away, Hercules wrestles the bull to the ground and carries it back to Eurystheus in Mycenae.  

8. To capture the Mares of Diomedes

• Foregoing this, he is dismissed to Thrace to tame the mares of Diomedes, man-eating horses of the Thracian king and son of Ares, Diomedes. Knowing he couldn't complete the mission alone, Hercules railed together a group of volunteers to embark on the journey with him. When Hercules and his group arrived on Thrace, they were able to overpower the grooms that were responsible for the creatures. In some tails, it is said that Hercules feed the grooms to the mares to pacify them. Hercules and his volunteers began to herd the mares onto their awaiting ship, but the ruckus of the event alerted King Diomedes to what was happening. This caused a battle that led to the death of Diomedes, and Albuerus, who was a volunteer and close companion of Hercules. With the battle won, Hercules and his remaining volunteers were able to make it onto their ship with the mares, where they began their journey back to Eurystheus. Some tails claim that Hercules fed the mares the king Diomedes's body as well and that this played a large role in the calming of the creatures. 

9. Obtain the Belt of Hippolyta

• Next Hercules is meant to retrieve the belt of Hippolyta. Queen Hippolyta, leader of a tribe of warriors, bears a belt of leather given to her by Ares, the god of war. Eurystheus desired the belt for his daughter Admete. In some accounts, it is said that at arrival on the Amazons Hercules receives a hostile welcome from  Hippolyta’s warriors who had been influenced by Hera, as she told them Hercules was a threat and not to be trusted. Despite the hostile welcome, Hercules still secures the belt. In other accounts, upon his arrival on the land of the Amazons, Hippolyta asked why Hercules was there. In honesty, Hercules said he was there for Hippolyta’s belt. Hippolyta agrees to let Hercules have her belt. But before he can take it, Hera, disguised as one of Hippolyta’s warriors, tells the other warriors Hercules is there to take Hippolyta. The warriors dress in their armor and bare their weapons as they go to confront Hercules. Hercules seeing their armor and weapons, assumes Hippolyta has sent her warriors to kill him. So Hercules kills Hippolyta, takes her belt, and flees back to Eurystheus with the belt. 

10. Obtain the Cattle of Geryon

• After, he is directed to collect the cattle of Geryon, a three-bodied giant. The first challenge this pursuit appointed was the journey to Erythia, which lay at the end of the known world, where the cattle resided. It is said Hercules had to cross the Libyan desert where the intensity of the heat was so insufferable, that 9n a moment of resentment, Hercules shoots an arrow at Helios, the sun god. Helios, rather than angered by Hercules’s actions, is impressed and lends Hercules the golden cup that he sails across the sea once each night. Some stories say that on his journey, Hercules splits a mountain in two, creating a passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The two halves of the mountain that are said to have been separated by Hercules are known as the pillars of Hercules today. Finally making it to Erythia, Hercules is met with Geryon’s guard dog Orthus, brother to the more infamous Cerberus. Orthus who has the body of a dog, with two heads, and a serpent's tail, was accompanied by the herdsman, Eurytion, son of Ares. Hercules incapacitates them with his club and takes the herd. Hercules’s journey home poses more issues than his journey to Erythia, and to add to his trouble, a few of his cattle escape. In the end, Hercules is able to bring all the cattle, including those who had fled back to Eurystheus.

    Originally the king only asked Hercules to complete 10 labors. But when Hercules granted the king the Cattle of Geryon, Eurystheus informed Hercules that he considered two of his labors invalid; Hercules had not slayed the Hydra alone but rather with the help of Iolaus, and Hercules had received payment for his cleaning of the Augean Stables. Because of this, two more labors had to be finished.

11.  Bring the Golden Apples of Hesperides

• Then, Hercules is made to fetch golden apples from Hesperides' garden. After traveling the world to find these apples, Hercules, as advertised by Prometheus asks Atlas to steal the apples for him. With Atlas’s compliance, Hercules is left to hold the earth and heavens in Atlas’s place. Once Atlas had obtained the apples, he requested to be the one to present them to Eurystheus, to which Hercules agreed. But before Atlas was to leave, Hercules requested Atlas take back the earth and heavens so he could adjust his garments. When Atlas took back the earth and heavens, Hercules fled and returned to Eurystheus to present him with the requested apples.

12. Capture Cerberus

• Finally, Hercules was to capture the three-headed guard dog of the underworld, Cerberus. By now, Eurystheus is fed up with the success Hercules has had, so Eurystheus decides the final quest has to be unreasonable, and unthinkably hard. He decides Hercules must go to the underworld and capture Cerberus. During his endeavor, Hercules runs into Hades, whom Hercules asks if he can take Cerberus out of the underworld back to Eurystheus. Persuaded by Hercules, Hades agrees but only if Hercules can subdue Cerberus without any weapons, using only his bare hands. Hercules, successful in his endeavor, takes Cerberus to Eurystheus, who insists the underworld's guard dog be returned to Hades. In the end, Hercules successfully completed all twelve of his labors. 

Disney's Hercules                                                                      

Disney's Hercules 1997 

              In 1997 Walt Disney Pictures came out with its own rendition of Hercules's story. In Disney's movie adaptation, Hercules is the son of two loving parents Zeus and Hera, making him a god. Hades, who has been banished to the underworld, and has vengefully been planning to dethrone the gods, learns of this child (Hercules) who threatens his plans. The Fates inform him that if Hercules fights on his father's side, Hades is destined to fail. In an attempt to ensure his success, sends his henchmen, Pain, and Panic, to feed baby Hercules an elixir that will strip him of his divinity and not only turn him mortal but also kill him. Baby Hercules drinks all but the last drop of elixir, allowing him to maintain his godly strength. Realizing that Hercules has not died upon feeding him the elixir, Pain, and Panic turn into serpents in a last attempt to kill him, but the newly mortal Hercules strangles them with ease. Desperate to get rid of the evidence of their failed mission, Pain and Panic kidnap baby Hercules and abandon him on a path. Here Hercules’s mortal parents, his mother Alcmene and his father Amphitryon, stumble upon him and take him in. Hercules lives much of his mortal life as an outcast amongst his peers. Unbeknownst to him, Hercules’s divine strength is the cause of much of his troubles with his peers. After an accident that ended in catastrophe, Hercules's actions caused destruction and outrage in his town, leaving him even more of an outcast than before. This drove his mortal parents to tell him they had found him and took him in, rather than had him. They give him the metal that was strung around his neck when they found him that bears the symbol of the gods, which encourages Hercules to go to the temple of Zeus in search of answers. At the temple, Zeus responds to Hercules’s prayers asking for answers. Zeus tells Hercules he is his real father and that someone turned Hercules mortal as a child, but if he proved he was a hero on earth, his godliness would be restored. Zeus reunites Pegasus and Hercules and sends Hercules on his way to go find Philoctetes, the trainer of heroes. Upon finding Philoctetes (Phil), Hercules is met with the news that the satyr is “retired” from training heroes. Phil finally agrees to train Hercules after a sign from Zeus that Hercules is truly his kid. After training with Phil, Hercules goes to Thebes to prove his heroicness. Here he runs into Hades, who is once again out to get him, and Meg the girl he falls for. In the end, he proves he is a hero, but chooses to give up the life of godhood in trade of staying a mortal to live out his life with Meg on earth.

Final Thoughts

Hercules like all gods in Greek mythology, has a variety of different retellings of his story. But in every story of his, he shows a level of compassion and empathy that no other god displays. Despite the blood he has on his hands for his wife and children, during every step of his journey to complete his 12 labors, he honored those who were lost in action with him. Taking into account modern ideologies that weren't always at play, do you think Hercules's murders are forgivable? Do you pity him for the actions he made in his fit of insanity? Do you think the completion of the 12 labors was an adequate punishment? 

Work Cited

1. ‌Cultureaexperience.com, 2025, https://www.cultureaexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/heracles-scaled.jpg Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

2. Tola, Maya M. “The Lansdowne Heracles at the Getty Villa.” DailyArt Magazine, 29 Dec. 2022, ‌https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/the-lansdowne-heracles/.

3. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Heracles | Myth, Significance, & Labors.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 13 Dec. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Heracles

4. Cartwright, Mark. “Hercules.” World History Encyclopedia, 9 July 2012, https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/

5. Matsumoto-Duyan, Madeline. “10 Major Differences between Disney’s Hercules and the Greek Myth.” CBR, 5 Feb. 2025, https://www.cbr.com/disney-hercules-vs-greek-mythology/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

6. Garfield-White, Georgia. “Movie vs Myth: Hercules.” Mythos, 9 Apr. 2021, https://www.mythosblog.org/post/movie-vs-myth-hercules.

7. “Hercules’ Eighth Labor: The Horses of Diomedes.” https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/horses.htmll.

8. GreekMythology.com. “Heracles - Greek Mythology.” Greekmythology.com, GreekMythology.com, 13 Mar. 2018, https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Heroes/Heracles/heracles.html.

9. “Hercules: The Ultimate Greek Hero and His 12 Labors.” Greek Myths & Greek Mythology, 26 Nov. 2024, https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/hercules-the-ultimate-greek-hero-and-his-12-epic-labors/.

10. Matsumoto-Duyan, Madeline. “10 Major Differences between Disney’s Hercules and the Greek Myth.” CBR, 5 Feb. 2025, https://www.cbr.com/disney-hercules-vs-greek-mythology/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

11. “Hercules in Greek Mythology: Myths, Symbols, and Powers - Centre of Excellence.” Centreofexcellence.com, 9 July 2024, https://www.centreofexcellence.com/hercules-in-greek-mythology/

             

Hermes

Herald for the Olympian gods, Hermes is most commonly known as the god of travelers and thieves (1). Modern interpretations often show him the with his iconic winged shoes and caduceus, a staff with two snakes intertwined. Though he is god of many common aspects in society, such as commerce and language, he is one of the most forgotten gods of the twelve Olympians. Nonetheless, Hermes is far more interesting than meets the eye in the myths and in modern adaptations. His Roman form is known as Mercury.  

Hermes Criophorus by Naukydes of Argos, 2nd B.C. (3)

Birth Story: 

Hermes across various myths is often portrayed as a trickster god with a affiliation for mischief. This is exemplified in the myth about his birth. Hermes is said by the Homeric Hymns to have been born in secret, in caves located around the region of Arcadia to the nymph Maia, the eldest of the Pleiades, and Zeus (4). The night of his birth, Hermes snuck away from the cave he was born in and began his journey to become one of the twelve Olympian gods. He first encountered a tortoise which he killed, transforming the shell to invent the very first lyre. Hermes then headed to the pastures of Thessaly where the god Apollo, his half-brother, kept his herds of cattle. Thus little Hermes committed his first crime, stealing Apollo's cows and in a particular stroke of craftiness disguising the hoof tracks by having the cows walk backwards into the ocean. He then ate two of the cows, and hid the rest of the cattle in a cave, before heading back to his mother. 

Theft of Apollo's Cattle 520 B.C. (5)

When Apollo discovered the theft he tracked down Hermes, who when caught tried denying the theft by playing the act of an innocent baby. Unfazed Apollo takes Hermes to Zeus who finds Hermes guilty of the theft. Hermes is ordered to take Apollo back to his cows, which he does, but not before showing off his lyre and the beautiful music it could create. Apollo, won over by the lyre, trades his cattle to Hermes in addition to gifting him the caduceus, a staff he is most commonly pictured with.

Not only does this act of trickery get the attention of Apollo, but Zeus as well, who designated Hermes as messenger of the Gods. Impressed by his cunning and guile, Hermes is made one of the main twelve Olympian Gods, often acting as the herald to Zeus and the other gods.

Killing of Argus:

Mercury, Argus and Io by Abraham Bloemaert (ca. 1592) (7)

Hermes often uses wit and guile to accomplish his goals, such is exemplified on the myth of Argus and Hermes (9). To provide some context, Zeus has an affair with the nymph Io. Once finding out, in an act of retribution against Zeus, Hera turned Io into a cow. To guard cow Io from Zeus, Argus, a giant with one hundred eyes, is placed as a guard to keep Zeus from rescuing Io. Hermes, sent by Zeus to rescue Io, disguised himself as a traveller and lulls Argus to sleep. Once Argus closes all one hundred eyes and descends to sleep, Hermes kills him. This particular myth earns Hermes his title Argeiphontes, meaning slayer of Argus.

Unlike many of the other Olympians, Hermes most commonly uses trickery and intelligence to outsmart his opponent, rather than direct resort to violence. This corroborates with his domain as the god of trickery and cunning.

Domains of Hermes (8):

• Roads
• Journeys
• Travelers and hospitality 
• Merchants, Trade, and Commerce
• Athletes
• Thieves 
• Trickery and cunning
• Herds and flocks
• Language and writing
• Psychopomp (guides the souls of the dead to the Underworld)
• Sleep
• Boundaries

Symbols and Attributes:

A unique of symbol of Hermes was the stone road marker. Herms, which doubled as a wayside shrine. These simple roadmarks usually were upright-standing stones with the head of the god, a phallus, and a herald's wand symbol. 

Modern Works:

Lillias White as Hermes in Hadestown (6) 

Hadestown (6) intertwines two mythic tales, the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Persephone and Hades, in a journey to the underworld and back again. Set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by New Orleans French Quarter this musical blends blues, jazz, and folk music to bring to life this modern interpretation of enduring love that transpires the boundaries of life and death. Set against the backdrop of poverty and hardship, Orpheus and Eurydice fall in love, only for tragedy to befall the lovers when Eurydice is enticed by Hades to leave the world of the living and join the ranks of the many unfortunate souls in the underground factory of Hadestown. Orpheus is determined to bring her back, and ventures into the underworld to rescue his lover. Once convinced by Orpheus after rekindling his love with Persephone, Hades strikes a deal with Orpheus to get Eurydice, only with one very important condition, he cannot looks back as he leads her back to the surface.

Hermes in this musical takes the place as narrator. As well, in one notable scene Hermes takes the ticket from Eurydice that allows her to take the train to Hadestown, displaying his role as a psychopomp.

Epic: the Musical is a nine-part series of concept albums featuring music and lyrics written by Jorge Rivera-Herrans. This musical is a song-adaptation of Homer's Odyssey telling the story of Odysseus as he returns from a ten year war in Troy through a harrowing ten year quest to return home in Ithaca to his wife, Pelepople and son Telemachus.

Notably, Epic: The Musical features two songs sung by Hermes as he aids Odysseus on his quest to return to Ithaca. The songs Wouldn't You Like and Dangerous tells the story of how Hermes helped Odysseus on his quest.

Epic the Musical: Concept Art (10)

Work Cited:

1. “Hermes - Greek God of Herds & Trade, Herald of the Gods.” Theoi Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hermes.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025. 

2.       2. Shadowhawk, Nyx. “Hermes Is Cooler than You Think.” Medium, Medium, 4 May 2023, medium.com/@nyxshadowhawk/hermes-is-cooler-than-you-think-2ad7e7042b4b

3. “    3. Hermes Criophorus (Athens).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Feb. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes_Criophorus_%28Athens%29.

          4. “Hermes.” Mythopedia, mythopedia.com/topics/hermes. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

          5. “T23.1 the Theft of Apollo’s Cattle.” Theft of Apollo’s Cattle - Ancient Greek Vase Painting, www.theoi.com/Gallery/T23.1.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

           6. “Hadestown.” Broadway.Com, www.broadway.com/shows/hadestown/story/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

           7. “Argus Panoptes.” Mythopedia, mythopedia.com/topics/argus-panoptes. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

           8.  “Hymn 4 to Hermes Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Ed.” Hymn 4 to Hermes, To Hermes, www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0138%3Ahymn%3D4. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

          9. Cartwright, Mark. “Hermes.” World History Encyclopedia, https://www.worldhistory.org#organization, 4 Feb. 2025, www.worldhistory.org/Hermes/.

          10. Wiki, Contributors to EpicTheMusical. “Epic: The Musical.” EpicTheMusical Wiki, Fandom, Inc., epicthemusical.fandom.com/wiki/EPIC:_The_Musical. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

The Fates

          The Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos

The Fates in Greek mythology symbolize the inescapable destiny of human life, reflecting the ancient belief in predetermination and the limits of human control over their own futures.

Who Are the Fates?

The Fates – or Moirai – are a group of three weaving goddesses who assign individual destinies to mortals at birth. Their names are Clotho (the Spinner), Lachesis (the Allotter) and Atropos (the Inflexible). In the older myths, they were the daughters of Nyx, but later, they are more often portrayed as the offspring of Zeus and Themis. In Orphic cosmogony, their mother is said to have been Ananke or Necessity. Either way, they had enormous power and even Zeus was unable to recall their decisions.

A. Clotho:
Clotho, the youngest of the three sisters, is known as the Spinner of Life. She is responsible for spinning the thread that represents an individual’s life from her distaff. This thread symbolizes the beginning of life and the opportunities that lie ahead. Role in spinning the thread of life: Clotho’s act of spinning signifies the creation of life and the potential it holds. Symbolism and attributes: Often depicted with a spindle, Clotho embodies the concept of beginnings and the creation of destiny.

                                                                    The Spinner of Life
B. Lachesis: 
Lachesis, the middle sister, is known as the Allotter of Destiny. Her role is to measure the length of the thread spun by Clotho, determining how much time an individual has to live. Role in measuring the thread and determining fate: By measuring the thread, Lachesis decides the course of one’s life, influencing the events that will unfold. Connection to individual destinies: Lachesis personalizes fate, ensuring that each individual’s life path is unique and predetermined.

                                                                 The Allotter of Destiny 

C. Atropos: 
Atropos, the eldest sister, is known as the Cutter of Life. Her role is the most final of the three, as she is responsible for cutting the thread of life, thus bringing an end to an individual’s existence. Role in cutting the thread and ending life: Atropos’s action signifies the inevitable end of life, a reminder of mortality. Implications of her actions: The cutting of the thread is seen as both a tragic and necessary act, emphasizing the natural cycle of life and death

                                                                 

                                                                  The Cutter of Life

Stories Involving the Fates

Despite their importance, the Fates didn’t appear very often in other myths. Many tales mention them, but the goddesses rarely went beyond the bounds of their duties. There are, however, a couple of exceptions.

The first is the story of Meleager. Meleager went on to accomplish many things in his life. But before that, he was visited by the Fates like any other child. The difference was that the Fates informed his mother, Althaea, that Meleager would only live until a log burning in the hearth burnt to ashes.

Naturally, Althaea put out the fire and hid the log in a chest to keep her son safe. The act worked, but she later used the log against him. After Meleager murdered his brothers, his mother threw the wood into the fire once again. When it turned to ashes, Meleager died.

Another notable story involving the Fates was that of Apollo and Admetus. Admetus was the King of Pherae, who became the favorite of Apollo. When it was time for Admetus to die, the Olympian god tried to get the Fates drunk in an attempt to save him.

He ultimately persuaded the Fates to spare Admetus if he was able to find a substitute. Ademtus’ wife, Alcestis, ultimately sacrificed herself so that Admetus could continue to live. The story is a rare occurrence of the Fates being flexible and obstructing destiny.

                                                                        Work Cited

“The Fates • Facts and Information on the Goddess the Fates.” Greek Gods & Goddesses, 6 Apr. 2023, greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/the-fates/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

“The Fates: The Destiny Goddesses.” Greek Mythology, www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Fates/the_fates.html. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Heinonen, Keri. “The Fates: Understanding the Three Sisters Who Control Destiny in Greek Mythology.” Greek Mythology, 3 Nov. 2024, greek.mythologyworldwide.com/the-fates-understanding-the-three-sisters-who-control-destiny-in-greek-mythology/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

The Muses

("The Muses of Greek Mythology")

The Muses

For centuries, we have studied that of Greek Mythology and the people who played a role in it. Today, we will discuss the Muses and who they are. There are nine Muses who, also known as the inspirations, were the daughters of Zeus, the king of the gods, and who played a pivotal role in the arts, sciences, and even had a part in guiding others through art, poems, music, and academia. As each Muse was their own person, they each are associated with one domain. 

Who are the Muses and What do Their Names Mean?

Calliope is known as the Muse of epic poetry, eloquence, and the "Chief of all Muses". Her name comes from the Greek words, "kallos" which means beauty and "ops" meaning voice, so if you translated her name, it would mean, "beautiful voice" (Tolentino). According to some stories, she was the head of the Muses in a sense creating the idea that she oversees her sisters, the Muses.

Clio is known as the Muse of history. As the Muse of history, she was the one in charge of preserving knowledge and memory. Her name comes from the Greek word "kleo". In the Greek language, "Kleo" means "to celebrate" or "to make famous" (Samatas). 

Euterpe is known as the Muse of music. It has been said that Euterpe was the creator of many famous musical instruments; more specifically different types of wind instruments. Euterpe's name comes from the Greek words "eu" which means good and "tero" which means to please, delight, and bring joy and pleasure (Samatas).

Erato is known as the Muse of lyric/erotic poetry. Many have said that the ones who were worthy of love and guided by her desire. Erato's name comes from the Greek root "eros" which means desire or love (Samatas). 

Terpsichore is known as the Muse of choral song and dance. Terpsichore's name comes from the Greek words "terpis" which means delight and "choros" which means dance (Samatas).

Urania is known as the Muse of astrology and astronomy. According to some, Urania is the eldest of the Muses. Urania's name comes from the Greek word "ouranos" which means that she is a part of the heavens. Since she is the Muse of astronomy, many myths have suggested that she is linked to the power of the heavens. This position is typically held by men in Greek mythology, so it is fascinating that Urania, a woman, held this position (Samatas).

Thalia is known as the Muse of idyllic, extremely peaceful poetry and comedy. Thalia's name comes from the Greek word, "thallo" which means to bloom and have joyful growth (Samatas).

Polymnia is known as the Muse of hymns, religious ceremonies, sacred poetry, geometry, agriculture, and meditation. Polymnia's name comes from the Greek words, "poly" which means many and "hymnos" which means hymns; this is why she is referred to as the Muse of hymns(Samatas).

Marble Sarcophagus with the contest between the
Muses and the Sirens (Waits).

Family and Where They're From:

"Mount Olympus, Dwelling Place of the Gods"
(Caleb).

Depending on which story you look at, the different the Muses' parents are. In most stories, their father was Zeus, the king of the gods, but when it comes to terms of their mother, some stories say that their mother was Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, while others say that it was Harmonia, the
goddess of concord and memory. The amount of different stories, myths, and tales told all have some similarities and differences. They were born at Mount Olympus which was in Pieria (Caleb). 

Pop Culture Adaptation in the film Hercules:

"We are the Muses, Goddesses of the arts,
and proclaimers of the heroes" (Ball).

 In 1997, the movie Hercules hit the theatres with  a bang. Worldwide, the movie has made over $252,712,000 to date and features five Muses (Menken). Similar to how the Muses are portrayed in many Greek mythology stories, they represent memory, dance, and song. The style of their dance and song is in a Gospel and R&B of sorts which can relate to Polymnia, the Muse of hymns, religious ceremonies, and others (listed above). This type of music choice was used to do their best to introduce the Muses. The reason why each Muse looks completely different was done to inspire children and families that there is no one type of woman in any aspect. Though there are nine Muses, Hercules only showed five Muses. After doing some research as to why this was the case, there is no clear answer. The Muses portrayed in the movie are Calliope, Clio, Thalia, Terpsichore, and Melpomene. It is quite interesting that they added Melpomene as she is not listed in the original nine Muses. In the movie, Calliope is the eldest of the Muses with her being considered the Muse of eloquence and epic poetry, Clio is the Muse of history, Thalia is the Muse of Comedy, Terpsichore is the Muse of dancing and choral song, and Melpomene is the Muse of Tragedy. Calliope, Clio, Thalia, and Terpsichore are described the same as is listed above with the addition of the Muse of Tragedy. Having the opportunity to see powerful women included in a story that is mainly about a man is important in more ways than one (Ball). 

Final Thoughts:

Having the opportunity to learn more about powerful women is very important considering the climate we are living in. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to learn more about each goddess and what they represent. I find it quite intriguing that each Muse has their own part and that they each represent a few ideas and that they all do not represent the same. This is an important idea to remember as we are each our own human, here for one specific reason. Although we may not know what that reason is, we each deserve to represent something of our own; you are here for a reason. Thank you for reading. 

Works Cited

Ball, Kyle. "The Voices Behind The Muses in Hercules -- The Disney Classics." The Disney Classics, 22 January 2023, https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/the-muses-hercules. Accessed 15 February 2025

Caleb. “Mount Olympus, Dwelling Place of the Gods: Myth vs Reality.” Ancient Origins, 23 September 2022, https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/mount-olympus-0017307. Accessed 20 February 2025.

"Harmonia :: Goddess of Harmony and Concord." Greek Mythology, 30 September          https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Harmonia/harmonia.html. Accessed 15 February 2025.

Menken, Alan. “Hercules (1997).” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119282/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“MNEMOSYNE - Greek Titan Goddess of Memory (Roman Moneta).” Theoi Greek Mythology https://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanisMnemosyne.html. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“The Muses :: Goddesses of Music, Poetry & Arts.” Greek Mythology, https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Muses/the_muses.html#google_vignette Accessed 20 February 2025.

“The Muses of Greek Mythology.” Greek Boston, https://www.greekboston.com/culture/mythology/the-muses/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology.” Greek Myths - Greek Mythology, https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/nine-muses-in-greek-mythology/#google_vignette. Accessed 20 February 2025.

Tolentino, Cierra. “The Nine Greek Muses: Goddesses of Inspiration.” 29 October 2024, The Nine Greek Muses: Goddesses of Inspiration.

Waits, Lauren, "Marble sarcophagus with the contest between the Muses and the Sirens", 16 February 2025.

Yannis Samatas. "The Nine Muses in Greek Mythology." greekmyths-greekmythology.com, 5 Aug.2009