The+Nine+Muses

Author: Kari

**The Nine Muses**  The muses are called upon for inspiration by all. They possessed the ability to inspire, create and preside in many great things. Known for their talent in song, poetry, science and dance they appeal to everyone. The nine muses were known to be the sister goddesses of the arts. [[|Encyclopedia Mythica]]

The muses all specified in different subjects, but they were mostly of the arts and poetry. Being the eldest, Calliope is thought of as the leader of her and her sisters. Although, it is mentioned that Apollo is also their leader. Calliope is the muse of epic and heroic poetry. Her name means “beautiful voice”. Clio is also a muse of poetry, but historical poetry. Erato was known as the goddess of love, poetry and mimicry. The muse Euterpe, meaning “delight”, presided in song and lyric poetry. She was also the muse of joy, pleasure and flute playing. Sacred hymn, eloquence and dance belonged to the muse Polyhymnia. Terpichore was the muse of dance and the dramatic chorus. The muse of comedy and pastoral poetry was Thalia. Not all of the muses represented great things. For example, Melpomene was the muse of tragedy. The last of the nine sisters was Urania. She was the muse of astronomy and astrology. Although most agree on a certain list, there has never been an agreement on the muses’ exact specifications. [[|Encyclopedia Mythica]]

Although the Greeks devoted only a few temples to the nine muses, they were worshiped and poets, musicians and writers prayed to them. The temples the ancient Greeks built for them were devoted to learning as well. They were called muselons, the root of the word museum. Museum actually means “place of the muses”. Also, the word music is also relative to the word muses. They are very important and inspiring to many people. [[|MAS Ultra]] In the beginning, it was said that there were only three; Aoede, Melete and Mneme. However, a Greek writer named Pierus changed that. He made them the nine muses, instead of the three. He also changed their names. No one knows for sure if he decided to change them because they appeared wiser to him or if he had learned it from a higher power. Their parents were Zeus, the king of gods, and Mnemosyne, goddess of memory. They sat near Zeus’ throne in order to rejoice in his great deeds. The muses had many companions involved in their life as well. Eupheme, the mother of one of their companions, was their nurse. [[|Carlos Parada]] The muses spent a lot of their time at the foot of mount Olympus and mount Pieros. There, they would visit Apollo. His knowledge of music and song is said to be obtained from the muses. Calliope was especially fond of Apollo. They had a son named Orpheus who was also talented with music. Orpheus is actually known to be one of the most gifted musicians of all the gods. The muses also relations with sirens. The sirens are vicious part women, part bird creatures that sing songs that lure sailors to them so that they can eat them. According to some, Terpsichore is the mother of the sirens, whom she had with Achelous. It is also mentioned that either her or Urania had a son, Linus, with Apollo. [Encyclopedia mythica] The sister goddesses mainly presided in peace. Especially Calliope since she is the eldest and wisest of the sisters. In one myth of Adonis, Calliope steps in to settle a dispute between Aphrodite and Persephone. Aphrodite had given her baby, Adonis, to Persephone since she trusted her with him. When Adonis grows up, Persephone tries to keep him. Aphrodite was furious with Persephone. Calliope stepped in on Zeus’s behalf and decided that they should split the time they had with him up. She gave him one third of a year to himself, one third of a year to Aphrodite and one third of a year to Persephone. However, the one third of a year he had to himself, he spent with Aphrodite. His living situation continued like this, until a wild boar that was sent by the goddess Artemis, killed him. However, the muses were never involved in violence themselves. Although that tale ended sadly and violently, the muses brought joy and happiness to all. [[|Ailia Athena]] The nine muses were inspiration to all who wish to know about science, art, music and learning in general. By having the ability to create peace and happiness, they can improve any story or idea.

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**Works Cited ** 1) “Adonis”. Ailia Athena. 1996. 14 December,2009.  2)“Muses.” Carlos Parada. 1997. 14 December, 2009. <[]> 3) "Muses." __Encyclopedia Mythica__. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. 14 Dec. 2009 . 4) "Muses." //Myths and Legends of the World//. Ed. John M. Wickersham. New York: Macmillan, 2000. //Student Resource Center - Bronze//. Web. 3 Dec. 2009. . 5) "The Nine MUSES." //Calliope// 18.10 (2008): 26. //MAS Ultra - School Edition//. EBSCO. Web. 14 Dec. 2009