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CHARITES

"We worship not the Graces, nor the Parcae, but Fashion. She spins and weaves and cuts with full authority. The head monkey at Paris puts on a traveller's cap, and all the monkeys in America do the same." (Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862, Walden).

Relevant links
CHARITES Album

CHARITES in GROUPS
ZEUS' OFFSPRING


The CHARITES (GRACES)

Of all deities, the CHARITES (GRACES) are the nearest related to Aphrodite, who wore in battle (during the Trojan War) a clothing made by them when she was wounded by Diomedes 2. As the CHARITES glance, love flow from their eyes. They were given the adornment of personal appearance, and the embellishment of each part of the body; consequently, they are the very incarnation of beauty and grace. Near the topmost peak of Olympus, there are the dancing-places of the MUSES, and beside them the CHARITES and Himerus (Desire) live in delight.

The eldest of the CHARITES, Pasithea 2, was promised by Hera to Hypnos (Sleep) as a bride if he would help her in making Zeus fall asleep. Aglaia 1, the youngest, was a messenger of Aphrodite.

It is told that Eteocles 2 of Minyan Orchomenus was the first to sacrifice to the CHARITES according to Pausanias (9.35.3), who says that "it was from Eteocles of Orchomenus that we learned the custom of praying to three Graces" (and not to any other number of them), as also Theocritus says:

"O holy Graces first adored of Eteocles ..." (16.104).

Eteocles 2 built a temple of the CHARITES, either for receiving graces or for giving them or for both (says Strabo 9.2.40). In the sanctuary, the CHARITES were worshipped in the form of stones that fell from heaven in the time of Eteocles 2 (Pau.9.38.1).

Others with identical names

Auxo 2 is one of the HORAE, Aglaia 2 is mother of Acrisius & Proetus 1, Aglaia 3 is one of the daughters of Thespius, Aglaia 4 is mother of a Trojan Leader, Aglaia 5 is mother of Melampus 1 and Bias 1, Thalia 2 is one of the MUSES, Thalia 3 is a Nereid, and Pasithea 1 is also one of the NEREIDS.



Family

Parentage (two versions)

Zeus & Eurynome 3

Helius & Aegle 1

Eurynome 3 is one of the OCEANIDS.
Aegle 1 is one of the HESPERIDES.

List of CHARITES

CHARITES

Mates

Offspring

Notes and Sources (Abbreviations)

Auxo 1

Pau.9.35.2-5.

Charis


Hephaestus

Hom.Il.18.382ff.; Nonn.29.331; Pau.9.35.1-5.

 

Cleta

Pau.9.35.1, 9.35.5.

Hegemone

Pau.9.35.2.

Phaenna

Pau.9.35.1-5.

Aglaia 1


Hephaestus

The youngest of the CHARITES.

Apd.1.3.1; Hes.The.909, 945; Nonn.33.57; Pau.9.35.5.

Euphrosyne

Apd.1.3.1; Hes.The.909; Pau.9.35.5.

 

Thalia 1

Apd.1.3.1; Hes.The.909; Pau.9.35.5.

 

Pasithea 2


Hypnos

Morpheus
Phobetor
Phantasus
(see Hypnos)

Another parentage is added for Pasithea 2; some say she is the daughter of Dionysus 2 & Hera.

Hom.Il.14.265ff.; Nonn.15.91, 31.186, 31.121ff., 33.21ff.; Ov.Met.11.635; Pau.9.35.4-5; Stat.Theb.2.286.


Sources
Abbreviations
Apd.1.3.1; Dio.5.73.3; Hes.The.905-9, 945; Hes.WD.73; Nonn.10.197, 13.94, 33.57; Ov.Fast.5.219; Pau.6.24.7, 9.35.5; QS.5.72.


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