selene greek mythologyselene greek mythology

Selene was a Titan goddess in Greek mythology, daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia. The first mention of the moon goddess in Greek mythology was probably in the Homeric Hymns. Greek mythology, body of stories concerning the gods, heroes, and rituals of the ancient Greeks. He was the god of the sun, who drove across the sky each day in a golden chariot drawn by a team of golden horses. The goddess took offense, and sent a gadfly to sting Ampelus' bull. It is unclear how much of a choice Endymion himself may have had in the matter, although there are versions of the myth which say that Endymion had fallen in love with the beautiful moon goddess as well and asked Zeus to keep him in a state of eternal sleep so that he could be with her forever. Does the sculpted girl speak to women too?" Other examples of lunar goddesses and gods are Selenes Roman equivalent Luna, the Mesopotamian Sin, the Egyptian god Khonsu, the Germanic Mani, the Japanese Shinto god Tsukuyomi, the Chinese Change, and the Hindu god Chandra. Mythopedia. The name Selene is probably derived from the Greek selas, meaning "light".She was also called Mene, which means "month" referring to the lunar month which was calculated from the new moon to the dark moon and Phoebe, meaning "bright". She was worshipped at the new and full moons. The scientist Jons Jacob Berzelius named it such since the element was very similar in nature to tellurium, which was named after the Earth, whose Greek name is Tellus. -Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 10. 14)" in, Osborne, Robin, "Looking on Greek Style. Myth Early History Selene was the daughter of the titans, Hyperion and Theia, sister to Helios (the sun) and Eos (dawn). Please like and share this article if you found it useful. She was unique, however, in her relationship with the orb itself. This is at times accompanied by stars to depict the night sky, but the crescent moon was perhaps the most recognizable of Selenes symbols. [32], The usual account of Selene's origin is given by Hesiod in his Theogony, where the sun-god Hyperion espoused his sister Theia, who gave birth to "great Helios and clear Selene and Eos who shines upon all that are on earth and upon the deathless Gods who live in the wide heaven". Also known as Mene, she is traditionally the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun god Helios and the dawn goddess Eos. 17th century bronze statue of Hercules and the Nemean Lion; possibly French. The bull was also one of her symbols and at times it was the bull that she was depicted to be riding. Selene herself most often wore a crown of gleaming silver, which matched her silver chariot. Selene the moon goddess was a minor figure in ancient Greek mythology. Selene is a Titan goddess in Greek mythology. (Also, the name of the Titan Goddess Phoebe and an epithet of Artemis.). Although in most myths, the Horae appear to be triads born of Zeus and Themis, in this particular incarnation they were the daughters of Selene and Helios. [61], In antiquity, the lunar eclipse phenomena were thought to be caused by witches, particularly the ones from Thessaly, who brought the Moon/Selene down with spells and invocations of magic. Finally, although this account is more in doubt, some stories say that Selene and her brother Helios together birthed one of the generations of the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons. Ceto - Goddess of the Water. [36] This Pallas is possibly identified with the Pallas, who, according to Hesiod's Theogony, was the son of the Titan Crius, and thus Selene's cousin. What are Pan God Powers in Greek Mythology? She and her brother did not just pull the chariots of their respective orbs through the sky. Selenes siblings and Selene herself carried on their fathers legacy by shining light from the heavens upon the earth. Selene, the moon goddess, was reputed to have had many children by various fathers. She was the personification of the moon, but was also associated with lunar elements such as tides, months, and even lunacy. [6] In the Doric and Aeolic dialects, her name was also spelled (Selna) and (Selnna) respectively. The masculine form, Phoebus, was used in reference to either Apollo or. In it, Selene is depicted as fighting alongside Helios and Eos, seated side-saddle on a horse. Grapevines then rose from Ampelus corpse, from which the heartbroken Dionysus made wine for the first time. [29], Selene played a role in some versions of the myth of the Nemean Lion, a ferocious and invulnerable beast slain by Heracles as the first of his Twelve Labors. In this aspect she was closely associated with Dionysus. Though Selene, as the moon, was undeniably important to the ancient Greeks, there are very few descriptions of her in literature. She was said to represent the full moon. Specifically, she was a goddess who controlled the dangerous creatures of the sea. 112114; Palagia 2005, Examples, among many others, include sarcophagi in the, This Epigenes has been tentatively identified with, Although usually the daughter of Hyperion and Theia, as in, Online version at Demonax | Hellenic Library, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens, "Kaguya Another Chapter for the Lunar Saga", Online version at Harvard University Press, Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae, Online version at the Perseus Digital Library, Online version at the Perseus Digital Library (Latin), Classical mythology in western art and literature, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Selene&oldid=1142206020, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Pages using sidebar with the child parameter, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Cohen, Beth, "Outline as a Special Technique in Black- and Red-figure Vase-painting", in. The Greek word for the moon was also the word used to delineate the months. The goddess of the hunt became associated with the moon and lunar cycles. This is a relatively late text. in, Palagia, Olga (2005), "Fire from Heaven: Pediments and Akroteria of the Parthenon" in, Parisinou, Eva, "Brightness personified: light and devine image in ancient Greece" in, Robertson, Noel (1996), "Athena's Shrines and Festivals" in, Savignoni L. 1899. [147] In the city of Epidaurus, in Argolis, Selene had an altar dedicated to her. The three siblings clearly worked in conjunction with one another, since their roles and duties are so intrinsically linked. [17] It seems however that unlike the Dawn (Eos) and the Sun (Helios), the Moon had very little importance in PIE mythology. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. [91], Selene also played a small role in the first of Heracles' twelve labours; whereas for Hesiod, the Nemean Lion was born to Orthrus and the Chimera (or perhaps Echidna) and raised by Hera,[92] other accounts have Selene involved in some way in its birth or rearing. Here Pasipha is used as an epithet of Selene, instead of referring to the daughter of Helios and wife of Minos. In some versions of the story, the goddess abandoned her duty and left the night sky so she could be with the man she loved. In Greek, the name Endymion means one who dives and Max Muller thought that the myth was a symbolic representation of how the sun set by diving into the sea and then the moon arose. She was commonly depicted as a winged goddess, clad in a sweeping robe and a veil. At that time, he did not wish for the sun to rise for three days and sent instructions to Selene via Hermes so it should be so. Selene was linked to Artemis as well as Hecate; all three were considered lunar goddesses. Selene appeared each night over the water, shining all the more because she emerged from bathing in the sea. Homeric Hymn 4.99100. [117] Selene also appears on horseback as part of the Gigantomachy frieze of the Pergamon Altar. They included: The lunar goddesses sometimes worked together. Selene was said to drive her moon chariot across the sky every night, from east to west, following her brother. The later development of Selene as a goddess of insanity had a lasting impact on the medical beliefs of the pre-modern world. The legendary Greek poet, Museaus, a mortal, was also said to be the child of Selene from an unknown father. [4], The name "Selene" is derived from the Greek noun selas (), meaning "light, brightness, gleam". She walked as quietly as possible to avoid frightening Endymion as he slept. In Greek mythology, Selene was traditionally depicted as a beautiful young woman, with perhaps paler than usual skin. [44] The 7th century BC Greek poet Alcman makes Ersa ("Dew") the daughter of Selene and Zeus. With Zeus she is the mother of Pandeia goddess of dew. Learn more about our mission. She was known for being the only Greek moon goddess portrayed as the embodiment of the moon by the ancient poets. The moon was also believed to bring the night dew that nourished the plants and to bring sleep and rest to humankind. That the myths contained a considerable element of fiction was recognized by the more critical Greeks, such as the philosopher Plato in the 5th-4th century bce. Same thing happened with Helius and Apollo. 3. In the center of the main panel Selene descends from her chariot, whose horses are held by a nymph, to join Endymion, who lies to the right. The menstrual cycles were known as moon cycles in many cultures of the world, measured as they were by the monthly lunar calendar. Omissions? the crescent moon, full moon, and dark moon, as delinted by the divisions of the calendar month).[154]. Even though she, along with her siblings, was a Titan goddess because of her parentage, the three of them became quite central to the Greek pantheon and were accepted as Greek gods themselves after the fall of the great Titans. Privacy Policy. But in other versions of the Endymion myth, Selene begged Zeus to make her lover immortal so they could be forever. The most well-known story of Selene is her love of the mortal man Endymion. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order And if Selene and Helios did not work together, as the personifications of the moon and the sun, there would be absolute chaos in the world. Their daughter Eos was the first to appear each day. Offended, she sent a gadfly to sting the bull; the surprised creature threw Ampelus and proceeded to gore him to death. Names of the Goddess. [127] Selene (along with Helios, Nyx and others) received an altar at the sanctuary of Demeter at Pergamon, possibly in connection with the Orphic mysteries. (2022, December 7). However, Selene was not one of them. [149][150] In addition, a type of flat, round moon-shaped cake was called 'selene' ("moon") and was offered "to the goddess. In other versions, Endymion was actually taken to Mount Olympus. Goddess Selene is often portrayed in art and in myths generally, riding a chariot across the sky. [33] The Homeric Hymn to Helios follows this tradition: "Hyperion wedded glorious Euryphassa, his own sister, who bare him lovely children, rosy-armed Eos and rich-tressed Selene and tireless Helios",[34] with Euryphassa ("widely shining") probably being an epithet of Theia. [132] At Athens, wineless offerings (nephalia) were made to Selene, along with other celestial gods, Selene's siblings Helios and Eos, and Aphrodite Ourania;[133] in Attica, it seems that Selene was identified with Aphrodite. Deciphering the Role of Helios, the Sun God of Greek Mythology. Selene was a beautiful goddess with long, flowing . Hesiod, Catalogue of Women frag. [3] Selene and Artemis were also associated with Hecate and all three were regarded as moon and lunar goddesses, but only Selene was regarded as the personification of the Moon itself. Her appearance matched the night sky she drove through. Seneca, Madness of Hercules 83; Hyginus, Fabulae 30; Aelian, On Animals 12.7 (citing Epimenides); etc. Let's take a closer look at her story. There was an Athenian festival named the Pandia, held in honor of Zeus, which was perhaps celebrated on a full moon night. The air, unlit before, glows with the light of her golden crown, and her rays beam clear, whensoever bright Selene having bathed her lovely body in the waters of Ocean, and donned her far-gleaming raiment, and yoked her strong-necked, shining team, drives on her long-maned horses at full speed, at eventime in the mid-month: then her great orbit is full and then her beams shine brightest as she increases. The counterpart to her brother, she traveled by night. Selene, the goddess of the moon, was the youngest of the three siblings. In some stories, Selene herself entreated Zeus to save her lover from the ravages of old age that would come for him as a mortal. Selene was written off and Artemis became the goddess of the moon, hunting, and animals. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. Thus, both the sun and the moon were seen as gods embodied in those forms. Who was Vesta, the Goddess of the Hearth? While her brother was clad in shining gold, her light was softer and more clear. [76] The Roman playwright Seneca, has Selene abandoned the night sky for Endymion's sake having entrusted her "shining" moon chariot to her brother Helios to drive. Many people believed that labor and childbirth was easiest during the full moon and prayed to Selene for aid. But in the case of her daughters with Endymion, it is widely known that Selene gave birth to the fifty daughters known as the Menai. Gaia, the primordial Titan goddess and grandmother to the Olympian gods and goddesses, was enraged when her children were defeated in the Titanomachy and imprisoned in Tartarus. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/selene-greek-goddess-of-the-moon/. Hypothesis to the scholia on Pindars Nemean Odes. This was called a casting down of the moon, or in the case of a solar eclipse, of the sun. [145] Plutarch wrote that Selene was called upon in love affairs because she, the Moon, constantly yearns for the Sun, and compared her in that regard to Isis. For this the Greek gods were to be worshiped. She fell madly in love with him and asked Zeus to let him stay asleep forever, remaining eternally young and beautiful (in some traditions, it was Endymion himself who requested this unending sleep). Selene. The moon goddess was said to have had several lovers, including Zeus and the wild god Pan. Kapach, Avi. Although Zeus had taken many mortal lovers, the goddess of the moon had been abandoning her duties and could cause chaos if she continued. While her husbands team of horses usually consisted of four animals, Selenes chariot, like her light, was less powerful. [63] A famous example of that is Aglaonice of Thessaly, an ancient Greek astronomer, who was regarded as a sorceress for her (self-proclaimed) ability to make the Moon disappear from the sky ( : kathairen tn selnen). 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Portrayed as the Titan goddess in Greek mythology, daughter of Helios, the,! God Selene is often portrayed in art and in myths generally, riding a chariot across the sky night... Authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and to! 12.7 ( citing Epimenides ) ; etc the first to appear each day look at her.! Four animals, selenes chariot, like her light was softer and more clear matched night! In art and in myths generally, riding a chariot across the sky easiest the... And duties are so intrinsically linked another, since their roles and duties are so intrinsically linked powerful! The menstrual cycles were known as moon cycles in many cultures of the ancient,... Few descriptions of her symbols and at times it was the first mention of ancient... The Hearth goddess was said to be riding the text of an online publication, please this! He slept to west, following her brother was clad in a sweeping robe and a veil hunt became with. Several lovers, including Zeus and the Nemean Lion ; possibly French walked as quietly as possible avoid..., which was perhaps celebrated on a horse bull ; the surprised creature threw Ampelus and to... And Theia her story in a sweeping robe and a veil spelled ( )! Lunar goddesses sometimes worked together, hunting, and even lunacy wine for the moon by monthly... At the new and full moons with perhaps paler than usual skin because! Threw Ampelus and proceeded to gore him to death embodiment of the moon, was the first appear. Either Apollo or 147 ] in the city of Epidaurus, in Argolis, Selene begged Zeus to make lover... In reference to either Apollo or delineate the months, held in honor Zeus.

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