Irlandos at 16:04, February 18, 2007

2007-02-18T16:04:24Z

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In [[Greek mythology]], [[Hesiod]] mentions '''Themis''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Θέμις) among the six sons and six daughters — of whom [[Cronus]] was one — of [[Gaia]] and [[Uranus]], that is, of Earth with Sky. Among these [[Titan (mythology)|Titans]] of primordial myth, few were venerated at specific sanctuaries in classical times, and Themis was so ancient that the followers of Zeus claimed that it was with him she produced the [[Moirae|Three Fates]] themselves (Hesiod, ''Theogony,'' 904). A fragment of [[Pindar]], however, tells that the Moerae were already present at the nuptials of Zeus and Themis, that in fact the Moerae rose with Themis from the springs of [[Okeanos]] the encircling World-Ocean and accompanied her up the bright sun-path to meet Zeus at Olympus. With Zeus she more certainly bore the [[Horae]], those embodiments of the right moment — the rightness of Order unfolding in Time — and [[Astraea]]. Themis was there at [[Delos]] to witness the [[Leto#Witnesses at the birth of Apollo|birth of Apollo]].

'''Themis''' (meaning "law of nature" rather than "human ordinance"), she "of good counsel," was the embodiment of divine order, law and custom. When Themis is disregarded, [[Nemesis (mythology)|Nemesis]] brings just and wrathful retribution, thus Themis shared the Nemesion at [[Rhamnous]] (''illustration below''). Themis is not wrathful: she, "of the lovely cheeks", was the first to offer Hera a cup when she returned to Olympus distraught over threats from Zeus (''[[Iliad]]'' xv.88). Themis presided over the proper relation between man and woman, the basis of the rightly ordered family (the family was seen as the pillar of the [[deme]]), and judges were often referred to as "themistopoloi" (the servants of Themis). Such was the basis for order upon Olympus too. Hera addressed her as "Lady Themis."
The name of Themis might be substituted for [[Adrasteia]] in telling of the birth of Zeus on Crete. She built the [[Oracle at Delphi]] and was herself oracular. According to another legend, Themis received the [[Oracle at Delphi]] from [[Gaia]] and later gave it to [[Phoebe (mythology)|Phoebe]].

==Consorts/Children==
# With [[Zeus]]
## [[Horae]]: the Hours
### First Generation (other names are also known)
#### [[Auxo]] (the Grower)
#### [[Carpo]] (the Fruit-bringer)
#### [[Thallo]] (the Plant-raiser)
### Second Generation
#### [[Dike (goddess)|Dike]] (Trial), known as Astraea in Roman mythology, the constellation Virgo
#### [[Eirene]] (Peace)
#### [[Eunomia]] (Rule of Law)
## [[Moirae]]: the Fates
### [[Atropos]] (the Inevitable)
### [[Clotho]] (the Weaver)
### [[Lachesis (mythology)|Lachesis]] (the Lot-caster)

A Roman equivalent of one aspect of Hellenic Themis, as the personification of the divine rightness of law, was '''Iustitia''' (Anglicized as Justitia). Her origins are in civic abstractions of a Roman mindset, rather than archaic mythology, so drawing comparisons is not fruitful. Portrayed as an impassive woman, blindfolded and holding scales and a cornucopia, the sculpted figure outside a county courthouse is ''Iustitia,'' not Themis.

{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:Classical oracles]]
[[Category:Titans]]

Themis - Revision history

Irlandos at 16:04, February 18, 2007