The 9 Muses
![muses-cover](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/muses-cover.jpg)
According to the myths, the God Zeus took the young woman Mnemosyne to his bed and slept with her for nine consecutive nights. As a result of their encounter, the nine minor goddesses of the Greek pantheon were born, destined to become the personifications of arts, music, visual arts and sciences.
More descriptively, the author Hesiodus in his book Theogony writes: “Mnemosene slept on the mountains of Pieria with the son of Cronus and gave birth to these virgins who make us forget our worries and lessen our pain. For nine nights in a row Zeus would climb on his holy bed and sleep with Mnemosene away from all the eternal Gods. A year later, when the months and seasons had completed their cycle and when many days had passed, Mnemosene gave birth to nine daughters…who were enchanted with music…”.
![](https://greeceinsiders.travel//wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mosaic-depicting-the-mythological-and-literary-theme-of-the-nine-Muses.jpg)
Mosaic depicting the mythological and literary theme of the nine Muses – National Museum of History and Art, Luxembourg Photo Credit: Carole Raddato
Upon giving birth to her nine daughters, Μnemosyne gave them to the Nymph Eufime and God Apollo who raised them and taught them the arts. Apollo eventually brought them to the Temple of Zeus on Mount Elikonas where they devoted themselves to the inspirational arts.
They were: Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomeni, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope. The latter is the superior Muse as she inspired Homer as he wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey. She’s considered to be the inspirer of heroic poetic works and writing. Ancient authors always appealed to the Muses at the beginning of their work to help them achieve excellence.
![](https://greeceinsiders.travel//wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Melpomene_Erato_And_Polymnia.jpg)
The Muses Melpomene, Erato and Polymnia Photo Credit: pixelsniper
But the Nine Muses as a whole protected a variety of valuable assets for the Greek arts and sciences fields: from history (Clio), love poetry (Erato), poetry of death (Euterpe), tragedies (Melpomene) to the divine hymns (Polyhymnia), dance (Terpsichore), comedy (Thalia) and celestial objects (Urania).
They keep inspiring artists to this day with countless paintings, drawings, designs, poems and statues dedicated to them. Their importance in artistic creation has been acknowledged by all artists of the Renaissance who dedicated their works to them.
![](https://greeceinsiders.travel//wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Muse-Polyhymnia.jpg)
The Muse Polyhymnia Photo Credit: carulmare
As representatives of the arts, it’s no surprise that the Nine Muses served as the namesake for a nine-member K-pop group. The group ended its promotions in February after 9 years. Their soft ballad single “Remember” was dedicated to their fans Mine, relaying feelings of love and thanks for the past 9 years.
Cover Photo Credits: Cristina
Feeling Ready?
From our blog
![Beautiful woman in white dress walks through the volcanic landscape of Sarakiniko with white chalk rocks against blue sea on the Greek island of Milos milos sarakiniko beach_romantic things to do in Greece_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/milos-sarakiniko-beach_romantic-things-to-do-in-Greece_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Romantic things to do in Greece: A couple’s guide
![mountains in greece_weather in greece in november](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mountains-in-greece_weather-in-greece-in-november-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Weather in Greece in November
![corfu island_weather in greece in october](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/corfu-island_weather-in-greece-in-october-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Weather in Greece in October: Your Ultimate Guide
![Kefalonia_Best Greek Island with Teenage Families_Feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Kefalonia_Best-Greek-Island-with-Teenage-Families_Feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Best Greek Island for teenage families to explore this summer
![Rethymno, Crete: Young Greek dancers perform a traditional dance, accompanied by Greek folk music in the port of Rethymno Marina. Sunset light. Greek dancers_greek music_what to see in greece_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greek-dancers_greek-music_what-to-see-in-greece_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
What to See in Greece: Ultimate Travel Guide
![A family enjoys a sunny day on a Greek beach, walking along the shore with beach toys. Greece family vacation_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Untitled-design-6-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
The Ultimate Guide to Greece Family Vacation
![Greece in december_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greece-in-december_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Visiting Greece in December: Complete Travel Guide
![A family stands together at the edge of an infinity pool, overlooking a beautiful coastal landscape with lush greenery, calm waters, and distant mountains. The parents, dressed in light summer clothing and wide-brimmed hats, hold their young child as they gaze at the scenic view of boats dotting the water and the serene village below, all under a warm, pastel-hued sky. best family resorts in greece_feature (2)](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/best-family-resorts-in-greece_feature-2-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Best Resorts in Greece for Families: Your Ultimate 2024 Guide
![A scenic view of Corfu showcasing a charming town with pastel-colored buildings, a lush landscape, and a stunning backdrop of the sea and mountains. Corfu_weather in Greece in September_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Corfu_weather-in-Greece-in-September-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Weather in Greece in September: Ultimate Travel Guide
![Greek ferry_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greek-ferry_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)