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The Muses
These divinities, formerly called Mosae, were so named from a
Greek word signifying to inquire; because, by inquiring of
them, the sciences might be learnt. Others say they had
their name from their resemblance, because there is a
similitude, an infinity, and relation, betwixt all the
sciences, in which they agree together, and are united with
each other; for which reason they are often painted with
their hands joined, dancing in a circle round Apollo their
leader.
They were represented crowned with flowers, or wreaths of
palm, each holding some instrument, or emblem of the science
or art over which she presided. They were depicted as in the
bloom of youth; and the bird sacred to them was the swan,
probably because that bird was consecrated to their
sovereign Apollo. There was a fountain of the Muses near
Rome, in the meadow where Numa used to meet the goddess
Egeria; the care of which and of the worship paid to the
Muses, was entrusted to the Vestal virgins.
The Muses - Clio
Their names were as follows: Clio, who presided over
history. Her name is derived from the Greek words meaning glory
or to celebrate. She is generally represented under the
form of a young woman crowned with laurel, holding in her
right hand a trumpet, and in her left a book: others
describe her with a lute in one hand, and in the other a
plectrum, or quill.
The Muses - Euterpe
Euterpe is distinguished by tibiae or pipes whence she was
called also Tibicina. Some say logic was invented by her. It
was very common with the musicians of old to play on two
pipes at once, agreeably to the remarks before Terence's
plays, and as we often actually find them represented in the
remains of the artists. It was over this species of music
that Euterpe presided, as we learn from the first ode of
Horace.
The Muses - Thalia
Thalia presided over comedy, and whatever was
bright,
amiable, and pleasant. She holds a mask in her right
hand, and on medals she is represented leaning against a
pillar. She was the Muse of comedy, of which they had a
great mixture on the Roman stage in the earliest ages of
their poetry, and long after. She is distinguished from the
other Muses in general by a mask, and from Melpomene, the
tragic Muse, by her shepherd's crook, not to speak of her
look, which is meaner than that of Melpomene, or her dress,
which is shorter, and consequently less noble, than that of
any other of the Muses.
The Muses - Melpomene
Melpomene was so styled from the dignity and excellence of
her song. She presided over epic and lyric poetry. To her
the invention of all mournful verses, and, particularly, of
tragedy, was ascribed; for which reason Horace invokes her
when he laments the death of Quintilius Varus. She is
usually represented of a sedate countenance, and richly
habited, with sceptres and crowns in one hand, and in the
other a dagger. She has her mask on her head, which is
sometimes placed so far backward that it has been mistaken
for a second face.
Her mask shows that she
presided over the stage; and she is distinguished from Thalia, or the comic
Muse, by having more of dignity in her look, stature, and
dress. Melpomene was supposed to preside over all melancholy
subjects, as well as tragedy; as one would imagine at least
from Horace's invoking her in one of his odes, and his
desiring her to crown him with laurel in another.
The Muses - Terpsichore
Terpsichore; that is, the sprightly. Some attribute her name
to the pleasure she took in dancing; others represent her as
the protectress of music, particularly the flute; and add,
that the chorus of the ancient drama was her province, to
which also logic has been annexed. She is further said to be
distinguished by the flutes which she holds, as well on
medals as on other monuments.
The Muses - Erato
Erato, presided over elegiac or amorous poetry, and dancing,
whence she was sometimes called Saltatrix. She is
represented as young, and crowned with myrtle and roses,
having a lyre in her right hand, and a bow in her left, with
a little winged Cupid placed by her, armed with his bow and
arrows.
The Muses - Polyhymnia
Polyhymnia. Her name, which is of Greek origin, and
signifies much singing, seems to have been given her for the
number of her songs, rather than her faithfulness of memory.
To Polyhymnia belonged that harmony of voice and gesture
which gives a perfection to oratory and poetry. She presided
over rhetoric, and is represented with a crown of pearls and
a white robe, in the act of extending her right hand, as if
haranguing, and holding in her left a scroll, on which the
word Suadere is written; sometimes, instead of the scroll,
she appears holding a caduceus or sceptre.
The Muses - Urania
Urania, or Coelestis. She is the Muse who extended her care
to all divine or celestial subjects, such as the hymns in
praise of the gods, the motions of the heavenly bodies, and
whatever regarded philosophy or astronomy. She is
represented in an azure robe, crowned with stars and
supporting a large globe with both hands: on medals this
globe stands upon a tripod.
The Muses - Calliope
Calliope, who presides over eloquence and heroic poetry; so
called from the ecstatic harmony of her voice. The poets,
who are supposed to receive their inspirations from the
Muses, chiefly invoked Calliope, as she presided over the
hymns made in honor of the gods. She is spoken of by Ovid,
as the chief of all the Muses. Under the same idea, Horace
calls her Regina, and attributes to her the skill of playing
on what instrument she pleases.
The Muses
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