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The Bibliography
Explore mythology and art with information about the classic stories of heroes and gods...from the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, to the legends of the Celts. Mythography presents resources and reference materials about mythology - including recommended books, and lexicons that explain Greek, Roman, and Celtic terms.
Gardner's Art Through the Ages
This book is the classic reference for the study of art. It features a history of artists and their works, as well as lucid and engaging descriptions of the styles and periods of art history. Highly recommended for both students and scholars.
Aphrodite in Art
Aphrodite in Myth
Art Themes
home | greek | gods | free spirits | Graces
Graces at a Glance
name | Graces or Charites (CariteV)
role | goddesses who personified grace
Graces in Greek Mythology
As their name suggests, the Graces or Charites were personifications of grace and charm in Greek mythology. Indeed, the title Charites especially signifies the role these lovely goddesses played in myth and legend, for it is related to the Greek word charis (cariV), a word that literally means grace.
Although various sources for myth refer to different numbers of Graces of Charites, most often they are depicted as a trio. And each of these three goddesses represented an individual quality that was revered by the ancient Greeks. It was the poet Hesiod who named the Graces in his Theogony:
"Then Eurynome, Ocean's fair daughter,
bore to Zeus the three Graces, all fair-cheeked,
Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and shapely Thalia;
their alluring eyes glance from under their brows,
and from their eyelids drips desire that unstrings the limbs."
Aglaia | personified beauty and/or radiance
Euphrosyne | personified joy
Thalia | personified blooming or flowering
Hesiod also states in this passage that the Graces were the daughters of the Olympian god Zeus and the Oceanid Eurynome.
These enchanting goddesses were often the companions of Aphrodite in mythology. And indeed, the Graces were the perfect entourage for the radiant goddess of love. The Charites were also frequently found in the company of the Muses and many of the other Olympian gods and goddesses.
The Graces were known as Gratiae in Roman mythology.
Bulfinch's Mythology
The Oxford Classical Dictionary
Graces at a Glance
name | Graces or Charites (CariteV)
role | goddesses who personified grace
Graces in Greek Mythology
As their name suggests, the Graces or Charites were personifications of grace and charm in Greek mythology. Indeed, the title Charites especially signifies the role these lovely goddesses played in myth and legend, for it is related to the Greek word charis (cariV), a word that literally means grace.
Although various sources for myth refer to different numbers of Graces of Charites, most often they are depicted as a trio. And each of these three goddesses represented an individual quality that was revered by the ancient Greeks. It was the poet Hesiod who named the Graces in his Theogony:
"Then Eurynome, Ocean's fair daughter,
bore to Zeus the three Graces, all fair-cheeked,
Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and shapely Thalia;
their alluring eyes glance from under their brows,
and from their eyelids drips desire that unstrings the limbs."
Aglaia | personified beauty and/or radiance
Euphrosyne | personified joy
Thalia | personified blooming or flowering
Hesiod also states in this passage that the Graces were the daughters of the Olympian god Zeus and the Oceanid Eurynome.
These enchanting goddesses were often the companions of Aphrodite in mythology. And indeed, the Graces were the perfect entourage for the radiant goddess of love. The Charites were also frequently found in the company of the Muses and many of the other Olympian gods and goddesses.
The Graces were known as Gratiae in Roman mythology.
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Bulfinch's Mythology
The Oxford Classical Dictionary
