Disclaimer: I am not a mythology scholar. I am simply interested in myths and how they shape human behavior and stories. The post below is a synthesis of my research about the Muses of Greek mythology and my personal thoughts and should not be taken as verified fact, though I have done my best to ensure its accuracy. This is meant to be a brief, fun introduction to the myth and not an academic resource. My sources are included at the end of the post.
Who Were the Muses of Greek Mythology?
The Muses of Greek mythology were a group of goddesses that inspired scientists, painters, poets, musicians, and a plethora of other creative types. Their origins, like many stories in ancient mythology, vary by source.
Some early sources claim the goddesses were daughters of Gaea (Gaia), the Earth mother, and Uranus (Ouranous) the personification of Heaven, while others say they were water nymphs.
What seems to be the most widely accepted origin story in modern day is that the Muses were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, memory personified.
Ancient Greeks called on these inspirational goddesses for aid in their specific endeavors. While they seem to have been generally willing to assist, they did not look kindly on mortals who challenged them in competitions.
(Related Post: Research Files: Mnemosyne and Memory)
How Many Were There?
Some say there were only three Muses: Aoide meaning “song/tune,” Melete meaning “practice/occasion,” and Mneme meaning “memory.” But even those who agree there were three do not always agree on their names.
One source frequently cited in research about the Muses is Hesiod, a Greek poet in the 8th century BCE. His works name nine Muses and state they were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. The Muses symbols/emblems make them recognizable in visual depictions, like sculptures and paintings. The Muses, as named by Hesiod and their emblems are:
- Calliope, epic poetry; writing tablet
- Clio, history; scroll
- Euterpe, music or flute playing; flute
- Melpomene, tragedy; tragic mask (the frowny-face one)
- Terpsichore, dance; lyre and or shown dancing
- Erato, love poetry and lyrical poetry; lyre
- Polyhymnia, sacred poetry; pensive expression
- Urania, astronomy; globe or compasses
- Thalia, comedy; comic mask (the smiley-face one)
English Words Inspired by the Muses
Before this piece, I had never thought about or made the connection that the root of these English words ties them to the Ancient Greek Muses. Now it seems obvious, but you don’t know what you don’t know until you know it, right? Anyway, it makes so much sense that we’d get these words from the Muses who inspired them.
- Music
- Museum
- Amusement
How to Use the Muses as Inspiration
This feels a bit meta, but we’re doing it anyway.
- Do certain characters in your story represent certain talents or skills?
- How is your story’s belief system structured?
- How are artists treated? Are they revered, reviled, feared?
- What is the role of art/words in society?
- What kind of power do the creators have or not have?
- Is there a group or figurehead that provides some kind of help to your characters?
- What kind of relationship do characters have with those they worship?
- How do the talented ones react to others’ worshipping or challenging them?
Want more Muses? – Check out my book recommendation for Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muses
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Muse-Greek-mythology
https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Muses/the_muses.html
https://www.worldhistory.org/muse/
Sculpture: By Unknown artist – Jastrow (2006), Public Domain
