InGreek mythology, EucleiaorEukleia (Ancient Greek: Ευκλεία) was the female personification of glory and good repute.[1]
Along with her sisters, Eupheme, Philophrosyne and Euthenia, Eucleia was likely regarded as a member of the younger Charites.[2] According to Plutarch, Eucleia was also used as an epithet of Artemis.[3]
According to an Orphic rhapsody fragment, Eucleia's parents were Hephaestus and Aglaea.[4] Alternatively, Plutarch stated that Eucleia was sometimes considered a separate goddess and the daughter of Heracles and Myrto, and as she died a virgin, she came to be venerated as a goddess.[3]
InGreek vase paintings, particularly from 5th century Athens, Eucleia is frequently shown among the attendants of Aphrodite, where she represents the good repute of a chaste bride or is performing stereotypically feminine tasks.[5][1] She was also referred by ancient Greek author Bacchylides as "garland-loving".[6]
Eucleia was worshipped in Locris and Boeotia.[7] Plutarch states that all cities in these areas had an image and altar of her, and this is where brides and grooms would perform a sacrifice.[3] At Thebes, her statue was created by Skopas.[8]InAthens, a temple was dedicated to Artemis-Eucleia in honor of those who fought in the Battle of Marathon, which is referenced by Greek author Plutarch and Roman geographer Pausanias.[3][9] It is likely that Eucleia was worshipped together with Eunomia at Athens, as they were served by one priest.[10]
InParos and Epiros, military generals (stratêgoi) offered dedications to Eucleia along with Aphrodite, Zeus (Aphrodisios), Hermes, and Artemis.[11]
There was a sanctuary dedicated to Eucleia at Aigai (Aegae), the ancient capital of Macedonia.[12] The sanctuary consisted of a 4th-century Doric temple, a small Hellenistic era temple, and two stoas.[8] At least two statue bases were votive offerings by Eurydice, paternal grandmother of Alexander the Great; it has been suggested that these offerings were made to commemorate Philip II's victory at Chaeroneain338 B.C.E.[8] It is possible that there was a statue of Eucliea in the sanctuary.[8] In the area surround the sanctuary, at least three burials of significant people, who were crowned with golden oak leaf wreathes, have been discovered.[13]
|
Ancient Greek deities
| |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primordial deities |
| ||||||||||||
| Titans |
| ||||||||||||
| Olympian deities |
| ||||||||||||
| Water deities |
| ||||||||||||
| Chthonic deities |
| ||||||||||||
| Personifications |
| ||||||||||||
| Other deities |
| ||||||||||||
