Euphrosyne
Deity, one of the Graces
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Euphrosyne (/juːˈfrɒzɪniː/; Ancient Greek: Εὐφροσύνη, romanized: Euphrosúnē) is a goddess, one of the three Charites. She was sometimes named Euthymia (Ancient Greek: Εὐθυμία, lit. 'good mood') or Eutychia (Ancient Greek: Εὐτυχία, lit. 'good luck').[2]
Family
According to Hesiod, Euphrosyne and her sisters Thalia and Aglaea are the daughters of Zeus and the Oceanid nymph Eurynome.[3] Alternative parentage may be Zeus and Eurydome, Eurymedousa, or Euanthe;[4] Dionysus and Coronis;[5] or Helios and the Naiad Aegle.[6]
The Roman author Hyginus, in his Fabulae, also mentions a figure named Euphrosyne, who is the daughter of Nox (Night) and Erebus (Darkness).[7]
Mythology
Euphrosyne is a goddess of good cheer, joy and mirth.[8] Her name is the female version of the word euphrosynos, "merriment". Pindar wrote that these goddesses were created to fill the world with pleasant moments and good will.[9] The Charites attended the goddess of beauty Aphrodite.[10]
In art, Euphrosyne is usually depicted with her sisters dancing.[8]
Cults
Legacy
In art and literature
- Euphrosyne is depicted with the other two Graces, Aglaea and Thalia, at the left of the painting in Botticelli's Primavera. The sculptor Antonio Canova made a well-known piece in white marble representing the three Graces, in several copies including one for John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford.[12]
- Joshua Reynolds painted Mrs. Mary Hale, wife of General John Hale, as Euphrosyne in 1766.[13]
- John Milton invoked her in the poem L'Allegro.[14] She also has a singing part as the spirit of mirth in John Dalton and Thomas Arne's 1738 musical adaptation of Milton's Comus and speaks the epilogue.[15]
In science
- The asteroid 31 Euphrosyne is named after the goddess.[16]