Download Significance of Muses in Greek Mythology

Significance of Muses in Greek Mythology
Introduction:
The Muses in the Greek mythology were the goddesses of inspiration for literature and arts.
They were considered to be the source of the knowledge that was contained in poetic lyrics and
myths. According to popular beliefs, there were nine Muses, who were daughters to Zeus and
Mnemosyne. Their names are Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia,
Terpsichore, Thalia and Urania. Sometimes, they are also referred to as the water nymphs,
associated with the springs of Helicon and with Pieris.
There are more theories regarding the actual number of muses. According to Pausanias in the
later 2nd century AD, there were three original Muses, worshiped on Mount Helicon in Boeotia.
In later tradition, four Muses were recognised: Thelxinoë, Aoedē, Arche, and Meletē, said to be
daughters of Zeus and Plusia (Uranus in Roman mythology). In Renaissance and Neoclassical
art, the dissemination of emblem books such as Cesare Ripa's Iconologia, helped standardize
the depiction of the Muses in sculpture and painting.
Significance in the field of Sciences and Arts:
The Muses were both the embodiments and sponsors of performed metrical speech which they
called mousike, which later became music in English. Music was one of the specialties of the
muses. Other areas of literature, arts and sciences in which the muses were dominant included,
Geography, Mathematics, Philosophy, Poetry, Drawings, Architecture, Drama, and inspiration.
Some authors used to invoke Muses when writing poetry, hymns or epic history.
The nine Muses also protected the early poets and musicians and then all the arts and sciences.
The cult of the Muses was widespread in ancient times. There were many temples in their
honor in Greece. It was believed that the ancient Greeks believed that the Muses lived on
Mount Helicon with their teacher, Apollo. For this reason, the Muses were also called
Elikoniades. The temple of the Muses and Apollo was also situated on the Mount Helicon.
The Muses were especially popular throughout Greece and did not have much significance in
the roman culture. Traces of worshipping Muses can be found in the Peloponnese, the Aegean
islands and Crete, where it was believed that the singing contests between the Muses and the
Sirens took place.
Reference:
http://www.researchomatic.com/The-Muses-In-Greek-Mythology-And-Art-85204.html