Thalia

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For other uses, see Thalia (disambiguation).

Thalia, or Thaleia (θάλλεω, “blooming”), can refer to three distinct entities in Greek mythology.

Contents 1 The Muse 2 Member of the Three Graces 3 Other mythological figures 4 References

[edit] The Muse

Thalia was a rustic goddess, the Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry. In this context, her name means “flourishing,” because the praises in her songs flourish through time.^[1]

Thalia was the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the eighth-born of the nine Muses. Her children by Apollo were the Corybantes.

In art, Thalia was portrayed holding a comic mask, a shepherd’s staff, or a wreath of ivy.

[edit] Member of the Three Graces

The Grace Thalia was the goddess of banquets and other festivities. In this context, her name means “rich” or “abundant.”

Thalia’s father was Zeus; her mother was either Eurynome or Eunomia.

Thalia was described as fair-cheeked and beautiful. ^[2]

[edit] Other mythological figures

Thalia can also refer to one of Hephaestus’ daughters, the nymph of Mount Etna in Sicily. After becoming impregnated by Zeus, she hid beneath the earth due to her fear of Hera. She bore twin sons, the Palici.^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ See Aaron Atsma’s article on Thaleia the Mousai at the Theoi Project. [1]
2. ^ See Aaron Atsma’s article on Thaleia the Daimon Goddess at the Theoi Project. [2]
3. ^ See Aaron Atsma’s article on Thaleia the Nymph of Sicily at the Theoi Project. [3]