Graeae
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Three daughters of [[character::PHORCYS]] and [[character::CETO]], and | Three daughters of [[character::PHORCYS]] and [[character::CETO]], and | ||
and [[character::Deino]], though [[author::Hesiod]] names only the first two, 'fine- robed [[character::Enyo]] and saffron-robed [[character::Pemphredo]]' (Theogony 270-3). He calls them | and [[character::Deino]], though [[author::Hesiod]] names only the first two, 'fine- robed [[character::Enyo]] and saffron-robed [[character::Pemphredo]]' (Theogony 270-3). He calls them | ||
'fair of cheek' and says that they were named Graeae, 'Old Women', | 'fair of cheek' and says that they were named Graeae, 'Old Women', | ||
simply because they were white-haired from birth. When they later | simply because they were white-haired from birth. When they later | ||
| − | play a part in the legend of [[ | + | play a part in the legend of [[character::Perseus]] they seem to live up to their name |
rather better, for here they were blind and toothless, apart from a | rather better, for here they were blind and toothless, apart from a | ||
single eye and a single tooth which they shared among themselves, | single eye and a single tooth which they shared among themselves, | ||
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stole from them their single eye and tooth, until they were forced | stole from them their single eye and tooth, until they were forced | ||
in their helplessness to tell him what he wanted. He then returned the | in their helplessness to tell him what he wanted. He then returned the | ||
| − | eye and tooth, though in [[ | + | eye and tooth, though in [[author::Aeschylus]]' lost tragedy |
he threw the eye into Lake Tritonis in Libya. | he threw the eye into Lake Tritonis in Libya. | ||
In ancient art the Graeae are depicted as sometimes young and | In ancient art the Graeae are depicted as sometimes young and | ||
lovely, sometimes old and ugly. Perseus' theft of the eye occurs first | lovely, sometimes old and ugly. Perseus' theft of the eye occurs first | ||
on vases at about 425 BC. | on vases at about 425 BC. | ||
| − | [[author:: | + | [[author::Apollodoros]] 2.4.2. |
JENNY MARCH( DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY) | JENNY MARCH( DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY) | ||
[[Category:Greek Mythology]] | [[Category:Greek Mythology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:51, 2 November 2012
Three daughters of PHORCYS and CETO, and and Deino, though Hesiod names only the first two, 'fine- robed Enyo and saffron-robed Pemphredo' (Theogony 270-3). He calls them 'fair of cheek' and says that they were named Graeae, 'Old Women', simply because they were white-haired from birth. When they later play a part in the legend of Perseus they seem to live up to their name rather better, for here they were blind and toothless, apart from a single eye and a single tooth which they shared among themselves, passing them around as needed. Perseus wished to find out from them the whereabouts of certain nymphs, who could help him in his quest to fetch the head of the Graeae's sister, the Gorgon Medousa, but the Graeae were naturally loath to give any assistance. So Perseus stole from them their single eye and tooth, until they were forced in their helplessness to tell him what he wanted. He then returned the eye and tooth, though in Aeschylus' lost tragedy he threw the eye into Lake Tritonis in Libya. In ancient art the Graeae are depicted as sometimes young and lovely, sometimes old and ugly. Perseus' theft of the eye occurs first on vases at about 425 BC. Apollodoros 2.4.2.
JENNY MARCH( DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY)
