In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Euphrosyne (/juːˈfrɒzɪniː/; Ancient Greek: Εὐφροσύνη), is a goddess, one of the three Charites, known in ancient Rome as the Gratiae (Graces). She was sometimes called Euthymia (Ancient Greek: Εὐθυμία, lit. 'good cheer') or Eutychia (Ancient Greek: Εὐτυχία, lit. 'happiness').[2]
Euphrosyne | |
---|---|
Goddess of good cheer, joy and mirth | |
Member of The Charites | |
Affiliation | Aphrodite |
Major cult centre | Boeotia |
Abode | Mount Olympus |
Parents | Zeus and Eurynome Erebus and Nyx[1] |
According to Hesiod, Euphrosyne and her sisters Thalia and Aglaea are the daughters of Zeus and the Oceanid nymph Eurynome.[3] Alternative parentage may be Zeus and Eurydome, Eurymedousa, or Euanthe;[4] Dionysus and Coronis;[5] or Helios and the Naiad Aegle.[6]
The Roman author Hyginus, in his Fabulae, also mentions a figure named Euphrosyne, who is the daughter of Nox (Night) and Erebus (Darkness).[7]
Euphrosyne is a goddess of good cheer, joy and mirth.[8] Her name is the female version of the word euphrosynos, "merriment". Pindar wrote that these goddesses were created to fill the world with pleasant moments and good will.[9] The Charites attended the goddess of beauty Aphrodite.[10]
In art, Euphrosyne is usually depicted with her sisters dancing.[8]
Euphrosyne and her sisters' main cult was located in Athens, Sparta, or Boetia.[8][11]