In this, as in many other cases of Greek mythology, a gradual transition is visible, from purely physical to ethical notions, and the influence which the Horae originally had on nature was subsequently transferred to human life in particular. 10 As they were conceived to promote the prosperity of every thing that grows, they appear also as the protectresses of youth and newly-born gods 11 and the Athenian youths, on being admitted along the ephebi, mentioned Thallo, among other gods, in the oath they took in the temple of Agraulos. 9 Hence they bear a resemblance to and are mentioned along with the Charites, and both are frequently confounded or identified.

7 The Hora of spring accompanies Persephone every year on her ascent from the lower world and the expression of 'The chamber of the Horae opens' is equivalent to 'The spring is coming.' 8 The attributes of spring-flowers, fragrance, and graceful freshness are accordingly transferred to the Horae thus they adorned Aphrodite as she rose from the sea, made a garland of flowers for Pandora, and even inanimate things are described as deriving peculiar charms from the Horae. of Nature in her bloom and maturity.Īt Athens two Horae, Thallo (the Hora of spring) and Carpo (the Hora of autumn), were worshiped from very early times. 6 The Homeric notions continued to be entertained for a long time afterwards, the Horae being considered as the givers of the various seasons of the year, especially of spring and autumn, i.e. 5 The course of the seasons (or hours) is symbolically described by the dance of the Horae and, in conjunction with the Charites, Hebe, Harmonia, and Aphrodite, they accompany the songs of the Muses, and Apollo's play on the lyre, with their dancing. Men in different circumstances regard the course of time (or the seasons) either as rapid or as slow, and both epithets are accordingly applied to the Horae. 3 As, however, Zeus has the power of gathering and dispersing the clouds, they are in reality only his ministers, and sometimes also those of Hera. 2 They are kind and benevolent, bringing to gods and men many things that are good and desirable. the regular phases under which Nature manifests herself. 1Īs the weather, generally speaking, is regulated according to the seasons, they are further described as the goddesses of the seasons, i.e.

In Homer, who neither mentions their parents nor their number, they are the Olympian divinities of the weather and the ministers of Zeus and in this capacity they guard the doors of Olympus, and promote the fertility of the earth, by the various kinds of weather they send down. Originally the personifications or goddesses of the order of nature and of the seasons, but in later times they were regarded as the goddesses of order in general and of justice.

Horae goddess