Divine inspiration

In the Ancient Hellenic world, it was said that the king of the sky, Zeus, joined with the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne, and from them the nine great Muses were born.1 The Muses reigned alongside the Olympian deities at Mount Olympus, where they were worshipped for their expertise in art and science. With cult followings throughout all of Greece, these nine goddesses were venerated beside Apollo, ruler of the Sun.2 Moreover, they inspired numerous classics, such as Homer’s “Odyssey” and the “Iliad.”3 Although Western society has grown further from Pagan traditions, the relevance of the Muses remains. The fact that these female figures were able to play such a significant role in a patriarchal religion is valuable for society still and speaks to the many divine qualities which women continue to offer.

The eldest, Calliope, presided over song, oratory, and art. Pictured with a tablet and stylus in hand, she was dubbed the Muse of epic poetry and inspired the people with her divine wisdom.4

Clio’s specialty was history; due to this title, she was often seen bearing a scroll or a book.5

Euterpe was named the Muse of lyric and was traditionally depicted with a flute, one of her many discoveries.6 Erato, sovereign of erotic poetry and charade, protected romance and was famed for her lyre.7 Melpomene founded tragic theatre and commonly sported a tragic mask.8 Ourania, rarely seen without a globe, was deemed guardian of astronomy and celestial realms.9

Polymnia was the pensive Muse of prayer, also said to have inspired geometry and grammar.10 Terpsichore reigned over dance and chorus, customarily bearing a laurel headdress and harp.11 And lastly, Thalia ruled over humor, architecture, and agriculture, traditionally donning a comic mask.12 The word “muse” derives from the Greek “mousa,” indicating mental prowess or memory, and is today used to indicate a source of inspiration.13 Yet it was over a millennia ago that

the original nine Muses came into historical and spiritual memory, and they’ve since influenced untold amounts of creative work, including traditional art, sculpture, music, dance, poetry, and literature.14 They were highly praised from the Ancient Greek epoch to the Middle Ages; they were respectable figures in society; they were the origin of museums; they were innovative and intelligent; and they were a group of nine enlightened women. This is worthy of consideration as the Muses served as the quintessential source of influence and wisdom in the arts and sciences across history. The Nine Muses preached the necessity of clear communication, proper rhetoric, creativity, artistry, education, and ethics—most of which have been left behind in politics, business, and media. Today, the Muses can inspire us as we reflect on their stories and on the role of women as rhetoricians in the arts, sciences, and in positions of divine leadership. ■

1 Mark Cartwright, “Muse,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, December 14, 2012. 2 Ibid. 3 “The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology,” Greek Myths & Greek Mythology, 2010. 4 “Calliope,” Theoi Greek Mythology, n.d. 5 “The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology.” 6 “Euterpe,” Theoi Greek Mythology, n.d. 7 “Erato,” Theoi Greek Mythology, n.d. 8 “Melpomene,” Theoi Greek Mythology, n.d. 9 “Ourania,” Theoi Greek Mythology, n.d. 10 “Polymnia,” Theoi Greek Mythology, n.d. 11 “The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology.” 12 Ibid. 13 “Muse,” The American Heritage Dictionary, n.d. 14 “The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology.”

THE NINE MUSES ARE TESTAMENTS TO THE ART AND INSPIRATIONAL POWER OF WOMEN.

Written and illustrated by Arella Warren, Arts Editor