Mnemosyne
"Memory"; the daughter of Uranos and Ge and mother of the Muses by Zeus.
Mo~era, ~ira
The name of the original single Fate to whom even Zeus had to yield. Later tradition named three Fates who then became known as the Moirae (Moerae) after the original single deity.
Mo~erae, ~irae
The Fates: Clotho, the spinner; Lachesis, the allotter; and Atropos, the inflexible. They were the daughters of Zeus and Themis who spun the thread of life, determined its course, and cut it when its end was due. They were a later development of Moera or Moira, the single Fate to whom even Zeus had to yield. See also: Atropos; Clotho; Lachesis
Molionidae
The twin sons of Actor or Poseidon, and Molione who were later conceived of as Siamese twins. They featured prominently in Homer’s Iliad, in which they were killed by Heracles during his war with Augeias and buried at Cleonae.
Moly
The magical plant given to Odysseus by Hermes that allowed Odysseus to overcome the sorcery of Circe and so restore his companions to human form after Circe had turned them into swine. One description of the plant seems to equate it with garlic, with milky white flowers like those of a violet, grassy leaves, and a black root.
Momus
The personification of sarcasm and mockery, the daughter of Night. Though expelled from Olympus for his continual mockery and criticism of the gods, Momus did suggest to Zeus a plan to relieve some of the weight of the human race, saying that Zeus should marry Thetis to a mortal, as this would result in a war that would significantly reduce the numbers of mortals. The marriage did, in fact, eventually lead to the Trojan War.
Moneta
An aspect of Juno, usually Juno Moneta, as the protectress of money.
Mopsus
1. A seer of unknown origin who sailed with Jason and the Argonauts but was killed by a snake in Libya.
2. The son of Apollo and Manto (daughter of Teiresias) who made himself the ruler of Caria. Inheriting his powers of prophecy from both sides of his parentage, Mopsus lived in Colophon, where he was challenged to a prophecy contest by Calchas, which he won, and after which Calchas died of grief. Mopsus was revered as the founder of the Oracle of Apollo at Claros, as well as the founder of many cities of Cilicia, including Aspendus, Phaselis, and Mopsuestia. He and Amphilo-chus, who had come to Colophon with Calchas, founded the city of Mallus, also in Cilicia, but killed each other in a fight for its possession.
Mormo
A female demon somewhat like Lamia or Gello. She was particularly malevolent toward naughty children, whose nurses would scold them with a warning that unless they behaved Mormo would get them.
Moros
The supreme power, Doom or Destiny, the son of Night, whom even the gods of Olympus obeyed. Though seldom personified in the myths, being conceived as shadowy and invisible, his presence as a force is pervasive and omnipotent. From him all power stems, and with him lies the sole power to remove gods from their station.
Morpheus
The son of Hypsos, god of sleep, and thus the god of dreams who was responsible for sending the human form into the dreams of men. His brothers, Ikelos and Phantasos, had responsibility for sending objects and monsters into these dreams. The Roman directly equated him is the son of Somnus, making him one of the few Greek deities to retain his name in Roman religion.
Mors
The personification of death who was known as Thanatos by the Greeks.
Mulciber
Aname sometimes given to Vulcan.
Musae
The Muses, also known as Musagetes, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne who were born at Pieria near Mount Olympus. Their worship as goddesses presiding over the arts and sciences spread into Boeotia, where they were said to dwell on Mount Helicon with its sacred fountains of Aganippe and Hippo-crene, the latter springing forth after a hoof-strike from Pegasus, who was a favorite of theirs. Mount Parnassus, with its sacred spring of Castalia, was also a center of their worship. Libations of milk or water were offered to them. Originally there were just three Muses, but later tradition names nine: Clio, the muse of history; Euterpe, the muse of lyric poetry; Thalia, the muse of comedy; Melpomene, the muse of tragedy; Terpsichore, the muse of dance and song; Erato, the muse of erotic or love poetry and mime; Polyhymnia, the muse of the sublime hymn; Calliope, the muse of eloquence and epic poetry; and Urania, the muse of astronomy.
Few myths relate to the Musae, for they were primarily considered as literary deities, called upon by musicians and poets to supply the matter for their work. They did, however, blind the Thracian bard Thamyris, who boasted of his song, and inflicted the same condition upon Demodocos, though they did give him the skill of the minstrel by way of compensation. They sang at the weddings of mortals to gods and were once challenged to a singing contest by the Sirens. The Musae won and plucked out the Sirens’ feathers. Their only malevolent act appears to have been the teaching of the riddle to the Sphinx, who then killed any who could not answer it.
Musagetes
One of the names applied to the Musae, or Muses.
Muses, the
The nine Musae, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne who presided over and reflected on the arts and sciences.
Mycenae
City of ancient Greece that in legend was founded by Perseus and Andromeda, its kings including Orestes, who was also king of Sparta and Argos, and, most famously, Agamemnon. The city lay in the northeast Peloponnesos in the Plain of Argos approximately 11 kilometers (6 miles) north of modern Argos. Dating from the third millenium B.C., Mycenae became the center of the Mycenaean civilization (c. 1580-1120 B.C.). The Mycenaeans entered Greece from the north, bringing with them advanced techniques, especially in agriculture and metallurgy. The city they founded at Mycenae controlled the route from the Peloponnesos to Corinth, being strategically positioned to command the Argive Plain.
Trade developed with Crete, which also helped to develop their own culture, and by 1600 B.C. they were the dominant force in the Aegean. After 1200 B.C. the city began to decline with the Dorian invasion; it was finally destroyed in the fifth century B.C. but was repaired in the third century B.C. Archaeological excavations of what had, until then, been regarded as a purely legendary city were begun in 1876 by the eccentric Heinrich Schliemann, who uncovered such notable remains as the Treasury of Atreus, also known as the tomb of Agamemnon, the lion gate that led to the city, beehive tombs, the city walls, and many golden ornaments and weapons.
Legend says that Perseus and Andromeda founded the city of Mycenae, which had its mighty fortifications built by the Cyclopes. Following the death of Eurystheus, Mycenae was seized by Atreus, though he was opposed by Thyestes, who was immediately banished. Thyestes later had Atreus killed by Aegisthus and thereby finally came to power.
Mycenae is perhaps best known, though, as the home of Agamemnon and his wife, Clytemnestra. While Agamemnon was away leading the Greek forces at Troy, Clytemnestra took Aegisthus as her lover, and upon the return of her husband she murdered him and his concubine, Cassandra. She then seized power and ruled with her consort, Aegisthus, a weak-willed partner who did anything she asked. However, Agamemnon’s children, led by Orestes, later exacted their revenge by returning to the city, killing both Aegisthus and Clytemnestra.
Today the ruins are among the most impressive ancient sites in Greece, yet had it not been for the trust put in the writings of Homer by Schliemann, the city may have remained unearthed, a legend waiting to be discovered.
Mycenaean civilization
Civilization that emerged on the Greek mainland c. 1600 B.C., which was centered around the city of Mycenae. In c. 1450 B.C. the Mycenaeans invaded Crete and adopted many aspects of the earlier Minoan civilization. They began to build palaces within their citadels, but they did not employ the labyrinthine designs favored by the Mino-ans. Instead they adopted a style that had existed for about 500 years. It was based on a central hall, a vestibule, and a courtyard in front, a style that later inspired Greek temple architects.
Mycenaean civilization borrowed extensively from Minoan religion, equating the two pantheons. The Minoan snake goddess appeared again at Mycenae, but she had now acquired a warlike aspect and had become known as Athene. The Minoan nature goddess, Mistress of the Animals, became Demeter.
Mycenaean people employed a primitive form of Greek known as Linear B. Through the translation of these early writings knowledge of the Mycenaean pantheon has been gained, also demonstrating the ancestry of the later, classical deities. The Linear B texts discovered at Mycenae and other Mycenaean cities mention Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Athene, Artemis, Apollo, Dionysos, Ares as Enyalios, and Demeter. Two of these, Zeus and Poseidon, are obviously Mycenaean in origination and concept, for they play no part in Minoan religion.
Myrmidones
A warlike people who inhabited the southern borders of Thessaly. They accompanied Achilles, the son of their king, Peleus, and the Nereid Thetis from Phthiotis, or Phthia, to Troy to participate on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan War, and thus became instrumental in the Greek success. At one stage, while Achilles sulked in his tent following the famous argument with Agamemnon, the Myrmidones were led into battle by Patroclus, not meeting with the success they would have if commanded by Achilles.
Myrtilus
Son of Hermes and charioteer of Oenomaus who was bribed by Pelops with the promise of half the kingdom if he replaced a linchpin in Oenomaus’s chariot axle with one made of wax. It broke as Pelops raced Oenomaus, the latter being thrown from his chariot and killed. Pelops then married Oenomaus’s daughter, Hippodameia, but killed Myrtilus to keep the secret safe. As he died, Myrtilus cursed the descendants of Pelops, his image being placed in the heavens as the Charioteer by Hermes.
Mysia
Ancient kingdom, today a part of Asiatic Turkey, that was visited by the Argonauts en route for Colchis. There Hylas, the squire of Heracles, went in search of fresh water; he was stolen away by water nymphs who fell in love with him. Heracles searched for him and found nothing but an empty pitcher; he was left behind when the Argo Navis sailed.
Naiad(e)s
Fresh water-nymphs who preside over springs, rivers, and lakes. Their cult was widespread throughout Greece, where it was believed that mortals could gain inspiration from springs watched over by particular Naiades. They feature in many of the ancient traditions, for example, as the lovers of Hylas, the squire of Heracles, whom they pulled down beneath the water when the Argonauts landed in Mysia, leaving nothing behind for Heracles to find save an empty pitcher.
Narcissus
The handsome son of the River Cephisus and Liriope who was loved by the nymph Echo. Teiresias prophesied that he would have a long life if he "never knew himself." However, having spurned the love of Echo, who pined away and died, leaving just her voice, Narcissus was condemned by Nemesis to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool. Narcissus now pined away himself, thus fulfilling the prophecy made by Teiresias. The flower that bears his name sprang from the earth where he died.
Nauplius
King of Euboea who, eager to avenge the death of his son, Palamedes, lit misleading beacons that led many ships returning from Troy to their doom on the dangerous promontory of Caphareus.
Nausi~caa, ~kaa
Daughter of Alcinous, king of Phaeacia. She found the shipwrecked and naked Odysseus on her father’s island realm of Scheria and took him to the palace, where her parents received him courteously and helped him make his way back to Ithaca.
Naxos
An island in the Aegean Sea, the largest of the Cyclades group. It was first colonized by the Ionians, became a tributary of Athens in 470 B.C., and was held by the Ottoman Turks between 1566 and 1830, after which it became a part of independent Greece. The island was a center for the worship of Dionysos, for it was on this island that Dionysos found and married Ariadne, deserted there by Theseus. See also: Dionysos
Necessitas
Known as Ananke by the Greeks, Necessitas was the irresistible goddess who posted the decrees of Fate using brass nails.
Nectar
The drink of the gods that accompanied ambrosia, their food.
Neleus
The son of Poseidon by Tyro, brother of Pelias, and king of Pylos. The two boys were exposed at birth by their mother but were found and reared by horse herders. Returning to the city of their birth after they grew up, Pelias usurped the throne and drove Neleus out of Iolcos. He came to Pylos, with Melampus and Bias, where he was made king. His daughter, Pero, married Bias, the brother of Melampus; his 12 sons included Nestor, the oldest and wisest of the Greeks at Troy. He was killed by Heracles in revenge for Neleus giving help to Augeias, though Homer knows nothing of this, and was succeeded by Nestor, the only member of his family not slain by Heracles.
Nem(a)ea
City of ancient Argolis where a temple to Zeus once stood and where the Nemaean Games where held in Zeus’s honor, the biennial games being established in 573 B.C. The valley in which the city was located was also the scene of the first of Heracles’ Great Labors, the killing of the Nemaean Lion.
Nem(a)ean Games
Biennial games held in the vicinity of the ancient Argolid city of Nemaea. Founded in 573 B.C., the games were held in the honor of Zeus, to whom they were rededicated by Heracles after he had successfully killed the Nemaean Lion.
Nem(a)ean Lion
The name given to a beast, the monstrous offspring of Typhon and Echidne, that terrorized the Argolid Valley in which the city of Nemaea was located. As the valley was also in the vicinity of Cleonae, the lion is sometimes referred to as the Cleonaean Lion. The killing and skinning of this great lion was the first of the 12 labors that Eurystheus set Heracles. As the skin of the lion was impenetrable to any weapon, Heracles simply caught it and squeezed the life out of it before rededicating the Nemaean Games to the honor of Zeus. He then skinned the lion with one of its own claws, turning the pelt into his cape, said to be the source of Heracles’ immense strength. However, anyone else who wore it would have power over Heracles, as was the case with Queen Omphale.
Astronomical: The constellation Leo is said to represent the Nemaean Lion.
Nemesis
The daughter of Oceanos and Night and goddess of divine retribution whose specialty was the punishment of hubris, arrogant self-confidence. Nemesis, whose name derives from nemo, "to apportion," represents the resentment felt by men at evil deeds as well as undeserved good fortune and the hoped-for downfall of the victim. Originating solely as a deity who decided whether an individual should be happy or sad—but chastising those who were overtly lucky—she later came to be regarded solely as a goddess who devised and handed out punishment.
Though not popular, as her role would suggest, Nemesis did have a shrine at Rhamnus in Attica. She was frequently depicted carrying a wheel identified as signifying the solar year, the sacred king fated either to rise to the height of fortune or die according to its seasons.
Neoptolemus
The son of Achilles by Deidameia (one of the daughters of Lycomedes, king of Scyros) who was born to the great hero while he was disguised as a girl hiding among Lycomedes’ daughters to save him from battle in the Trojan War after a prophecy had foretold of his death. Neoptolemus was also known as Pyrrhos, or Pyrrhus, after Achilles’ female name, Pyrrha. Following the prophesied death of Achilles, Odysseus, Phoenix, and Diomedes came to Scyros to persuade Lycomedes to allow Neoptolemus to join the Greek cause against Troy, bringing for the youth his father’s armor. This story is a little incredible: Considering that Neoptolemus would have been but a baby when Achilles went to Troy, the war there lasting for ten years, Neoptolemus would have been no older than ten when he went to fight against Troy. Regardless of his age, Neoptolemus traveled to Troy and was one of the warriors secreted within the hollow belly of the Wooden Horse.
With Troy taken, Neoptolemus cornered Priam, Hecuba, and their son, Polites, before an alter sacred to Zeus. There Neoptolemus slaughtered Polites and, when Priam tried to intervene, killed him as well. He also murdered the Trojan infant Prince Astyanax. He was awarded, as his share of the booty, Hector’s widow, Andromache, by whom some said he had three sons. Seeking to leave Troy, the Greek ships were once again becalmed, just as they had been en route at Aulis. Achilles’ ghost demanded the sacrifice of Polyxena to ensure favorable winds, a sacrifice carried out by Neoptolemus. Returning with Menelaus to Sparta, Neoptolemus married Hermione.
Leaving Sparta, Neoptolemus, in the company of Andromache and Helenus, abandoned his kingdom in Thessaly and traveled to and settled in Epirus, part of which he gave to Helenus, who married Andromache. He was killed by Orestes, to whom Hermione had originally been betrothed by Tyndareus. An alternative to this version of his death says that he visited Delphi, where he was murdered by Machaereus after Neoptolemus had objected to the custom of the priests receiving all the sacrificial meat. He was buried in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, where he received divine honors.
Nephele
The phantom cloud in the form of Hera—created by the goddess or Zeus—that Ixion mated with. Nephele became the mother of Centauros and thus the ancestor of the centaurs.
Neptun~e, ~us
Originally associated with freshwater, Neptune increasingly became identified with the Greek Poseidon, and therefore as the god of the sea, though he retained many of his earlier, fresh-water aspects. His female counterpart was Salacia, goddess of spring water, which testifies to his origins, as did his festival, which was held in July when fresh water was most scarce. Offerings were made to Neptune to assuage any water shortage, but he remained a pale deity when compared to Poseidon for the simple reason that the Romans were not a seafaring nation. Neptune was often depicted riding a dolphin and carrying a trident.
Astronomical: Discovered in 1846, Neptune is one of the gas giant planets of the solar system lying an average distance of 4,496 million kilometers (2,793 million miles) from the sun. It is approximately four times the size of the earth, with an equatorial diameter of roughly 49,800 kilometers (30,940 miles); it has two known satellites, possibly more, and a very faint ring system.
Nereid(e)s
The fifty or more sea or freshwater nymph daughters of the sea god Nereus and the Oceanid Doris. The chief of the Nereides was Thetis, the mother of Achilles, though others are named from time to time in the works of Homer and Hesiod. Female spirits without any malice for mankind, Nereides were associated solely with the Mediterranean, unlike the Oceanides. As sea nymphs they were protected by Poseidon, who vented his wrath against Cassiopeia when she boasted that she, or her daughter, Andromeda, were more beautiful than the Nereides.
The Neraida, an alternative name-form, continue into modern Greek folklore, the nymphs of upland country and woodland who can catch a man unawares at midday and send him mad or dumb.
Astronomical: The name Nereid has been given to one of the two known satellites of the planet Neptune. It lies very distant from the planet, well outside the orbit of the other known moon, Triton.
Nereus
A sea deity; the son of Pontus and Ge and father of the 50 or more Nereides, nymphs of the Mediterranean, by the Oceanid Doris. He was the father of Amphitrite, who married Poseidon after his suit had been eloquently pleaded by Delphinos. He has sometimes been confused with Proteus, who shares the ability to alter shape at will.
Nessus
The centaur charged with carrying people across the River Evenus. While carrying Deianeira, Heracles’ wife, Nessus attempted to make off with her, fully intending to violate her, but was shot by Heracles through the breast. Dying, Nessus told Deianeira to take some of his blood, falsely claiming that it would act as a charm to restore the love of a faithless husband. Deianeira later suspected that Heracles was about to desert her for Iole, so she sent him a shirt rubbed with some of Nessus’s blood, unaware that the blood was also poisonous because the centaur had been killed by one of Heracles’ poisoned arrows. When Heracles put the shirt on, it burned his flesh away; trying to remove the shirt just made matters worse, as great chunks of flesh tore away. Nessus thus had his revenge on Heracles.
Nestor
One of the 12 sons of Neleus; he succeeded as king of Pylos in Messenia after his father and brothers were killed by Heracles. In his youth he was involved in several battles against Elis, and it appears that it was this that saved him from being killed by Heracles, for Neleus and Nestor’s brothers fought on the side of Elis against Heracles. He remained king of Pylos for three generations, defeated the Arcadians and the Eleans, and participated in the famous fight between the Lapithae and the centaurs as well as the voyage of the Argo as one of the Argonauts. He was already an old man when the Trojan War, to which he took 90 ships, started. There he was considered among the wisest counselors, if somewhat loquacious. His son, Antilochus, was killed by Memnon after he had joined his father at Troy, being too young to sail at the start of the war.
Nestor accompanied Odysseus and Ajax the Greater to Scyros to recruit for the Greek forces and was thus present when Achilles was discovered, disguised as a girl, hiding in the court of Lycomedes. He returned to Pylos after the Trojan War ended, and on one occasion he entertained Telemachus while the latter was looking for his father, Odysseus.
