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HORAE
῏Ωραι

The HORAE, who are worshipped as Hours as well as Seasons, are the wardens of the sky and of Olympus. Their task is to open and close the Gates of Heaven, whether to open the thick cloud in the entrance, or shut it. They also yoke and unyoke the horses of the chariots of the gods, and they feed the horses with ambrosia. Some have described them as the handmaids of Helius.

The HORAE were given the ordering and adornment of life. When the gods fashioned Pandora 1, and each of them bestowed her with a gift, the HORAE crowned her head with spring flowers. It is said that when Aphrodite was born, the HORAE welcomed her joyously, clothing her with heavenly garments. They put on her head a crown of gold, and in her pierced ears they hung ornaments of orichalc and gold. Then they adorned her with golden necklaces, and the kind of jewels which the HORAE wear themselves whenever they join the dances of the gods.

Family 

Parentage
three versions: b) = regarded as Seasons; c) = regarded as Hours.

a) Zeus & Themis

b) Helius & unknown

  
 

c) Chronos & unknown

 

8930: Two dancing women 'Horae' (Seasons), Roman 1C BC. Galleria degli Uffici, Firenze (Royal Cast Collection, Copenhagen).


List of the HORAE

Eirene 1 (Peace) and the child Plutus (Wealth). 0224: Eirene mit dem kleinen Plutus. Kopie nach einer Kultstatue des Kephisodot auf dem Markplatz von Athen (um 370 v. Chr.). Glyptothek, München.
The HORAE could be twelve or ten or perhaps only three. Their names have been given as follows:

Acte.
Hyg.Fab.183

Anatole or Antolia is the dawn (see also Eos), a maid of Harmonia 3 attending the East Wind's gate of her palace.
Hyg.Fab.183; Nonn.41.283.

Auge 1.
(Radiance of the first light.)
Hyg.Fab.183.

Auxo 2.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Carpo is the bringer of fruits.
Hyg.Fab.183; Pau.9.35.2.

Dike is Justice. She had her dwelling on earth in the times of the Golden Race, and she was still upon the earth in the Silver Age. But when the Race of Bronze was born she left the earth and went to heaven. Dike is also said to be the offspring of Astraeus 1 and Eos (Dawn).

Dysis is Setting. She is a handmaid of Harmonia 3, Nurse of the World. She attends the West Wind's gate of her dwelling. Nurse of Selene (Moon).
Hyg.Fab.183; Nonn.41.284.

Eirene 1 is Peace. The nurse of Demeter.

Elete.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Eunomia is Order.
Apd.1.3.1; Hes.The.902; Hyg.Fab.183, Pin.Oly.9.16, 13.6.

Euporia.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Gymnastica.
(At the time when this is practised.)
Hyg.Fab.183.

Hesperis is by Atlas the mother of the HESPERIDES. She is also said to be the daughter of Hesperus 2, the son of the TITANS Iapetus 1 & Clymene 1.
Dio.4.27.2; Hyg.Ast.2.3; Hyg.Fab.183.

Mesembria is Noon. She is a handmaid of Harmonia 3, Nurse of the World. She attends the South Wind's gate of Harmonia 3's dwelling.
Hyg.Fab.183; Nonn.41.285.

Musica.
(At the time when it is practised.)
Hyg.Fab.183.

Nymphe 1.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Orthosie.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Pherusa 2.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Sponde.
Hyg.Fab.183.

Thallo.
Bringer of flowers.
Hyg.Fab.183.


Related sections HORAE in GROUPS: ZEUS' OFFSPRING, PERSONIFICATIONS, SERVANTS  
Sources
Abbreviations

Apd.1.3.1; Dio.4.27.2, 5.73.6; Hes.The.901ff.; Hes.WD.75; Hom.Il.5.750; Hyg.Ast.2.3; Hyg.Fab.183; Nonn.1.224, 2.176, 2.270, 2.328, 2.704, 3.198, 3.381, 7.107, 7.179, 8.5, 9.12, 10.172, 11.487, 12.1ff., 13.23, 41.283ff.; Ov.Fast.1.704, 5.217; Pau.9.35.2; Pin.Oly.13.6-7, 9.16; QS.2.658; Stat.Theb.3.410.