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Greek Mythology > Immortals > The Muses

The Muses

• Daughters of Wit and Charm
• The Muses in The Iliad (reference)
• The Muses in The Odyssey (reference)
• How to Cite this Page

Daughters of Wit and Charm

The Muses or Mousai are the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (sister of Hyperion and Rheia). They are often referred to as Heliconian and Pierian, to mark the seats of their earliest worship (Pieria, near Olympos and Mount Helicon in Boeotia).

They are listed by name (Theogony 77) but the specific attributes of each goddess were added by later poets:

• Kleio, history
• Euterpe, flute playing
• Thaleia, comedy
• Melpomene, tragedy
• Terpsichore, dance
• Erato, love poems
• Polymnia, sacred music
• Ourania, astrology
• Kalliope, epic poetry (she holds the highest rank of the Muses)

Kalliope attends the birth of kingly nobles and gives (or withholds) the gift of the Muses as the immortals deem fit (Theogony, 80). Mere mortals who are blessed by the Muses, can use the beauty of their song, or the grace of their dance to heal the sick and comfort the heartbroken.

One story says that a singer and poet named Thamyris challenged the Muses. He mocked them and made light of their skills. For his insolence, Thamyris was maimed and lost his memory. He could no longer remember his songs or his poems. The Muses can bestow the gift of talent and insight but they can also, viciously, revoke their blessings. King Pierus boasted that his daughters rivaled the Muses in beauty and talent, they (all nine of his daughters) were turned into magpies.

The Muses attend the festivals on Olympos and entertain and inspire the other gods with their wit and charm. Apollo puts aside his bow and plays the lyre as the Graces join in the dance of the immortals.

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The Muses in The Iliad (listed by book and line)

• 01.604 ...After the Olympians had dined, they listened to the singing of Apollon and the Muses
• 02.484 ...Homer asks the Muses, whose home is Mount Olympos (Olympos), to sing of the leaders of the Danaans
• 02.491 ...Homer states that he could not recall the names of all the Argives without the inspiration of the Muses, daughters of Zeus
• 02.594 ...The singer, Thamyris, bragged that he was a better singer than the Muses; for his effrontery, the Muses took away his memory
• 02.761 ...Homer asks the Muse to name the bravest of the Danaans
• 11.218 ...Homer asks the Muses to tell who was the first Trojan to stand in battle against Agamemnon; Iphidamas
• 14.508 ...Homer asks the Muses to tell of the first of the Akhaians (Achaeans) to win victory after Poseidon entered the battle; Telamonian Aias
• 16.112 ...Homer asks the Muses to tell of how Hektor (Hector) set fire to the ships of the Akhaians (Achaeans)

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The Muses in The Odyssey (listed by book and line)

• 01.001 ...Homer invokes the Muse to tell the story of the adventures and travels of the man of many ways, Odysseus
• 01.010 ...Homer asks the daughter of Zeus to begin the story of Odysseus and his adventures
• 08.063 ...The suitors of Penelope were entertained by the blind singer, Demodokos (Demodocus), who was loved by the Muse
• 08.073 ...After dinner, the Muse inspired the singer, Demodokos (Demodocus), to sing for the suitors of Penelope
• 08.480 ...Odysseus explains that all singers are to be cherished because a Muse has taught them
• 08.488 ...Odysseus tells the blind singer, Demodokos (Demodocus), that surely the Muse, Zeus’ daughter, or Apollon has taught him to sing
• 08.499 ...Moved by the goddess, the blind singer, Demodokos, sang of how the Argive ships sailed away from Troy and the Wooden Horse was left behind
• 24.060 ...In the Underworld, Agamemnon tells Akhilleus (Achilles) that all nine Muses mourned his death
• 24.062 ...In the Underworld, Agamemnon tells Akhilleus (Achilles) that the Muse sang at his funeral and all of the Argives were in tears

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