Litae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Litae (ancient Greek meaning 'Prayers') are personifications in Greek mythology.

They appear in Homer's Iliad in Book 9 as the lame and wrinkled daughters of Zeus (no mother named and no number given) who follow after Zeus' exiled daughter Ate ('Folly') as healers but who cannot keep up with the fast-running Ate.

This is an obvious allegory on the supposed power of prayer to mitigate the misfortunes into which one's folly has led one.

If someone dishonors them, then they go to Zeus and ask that Ate be sent against that person.