" The nine Mousai (Muses) too struck up a lifestirring melody: Polymnia nursingmother of the dance waved her arms, and sketched in the air an image of a soundless voice, speaking with hands and moving eyes in a graphic picture of silence full of meaning. ‘After chaos, as soon as the three elements were given to the world, and the whole creation resolved itself into new species. The goddesses disagreed of them Polyhymnia began the first the others were silent, and noted her saying in their mind. "Declare to me, ye who haunt the springs of Aganippian Hippocrene, those dear traces of the Medusaean steed. Polymnia (Polyhymnia), because by her great ( polle) praises ( humnesis) she brings distinction to writers whose works have won for them immortal fame." For the name of each Mousa (Muse), they say, men have found a reason appropriate to her. To each of the Mousai (Muses) men assign her special aptitude for one of the branches of the liberal arts, such as poetry, song, pantomimic dancing, the round dance with music, the study of the stars, and the other liberal arts. "Hesiod even gives their names when he writes : ‘Kleio, Euterpe, and Thaleia, Melpomene, Terpsikhore and Erato, and Polymnia, Ourania, Kalliope too, of them all the most comely.’ Kleio (Clio), and Erato who charms the sight, with thee, Euterpe, ministering delight: Thalia flourishing, Polymnia famed, Melpomene from skill in music named: Terpsikhore (Terpsichore), Ourania (Urania) heavenly bright." Muse Polymnia, Greco-Roman mosaic from Vichten C3rd A.D., National Museum of History and Art, Luxembourg Cityĭiodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. "Mnemosyne the Mousai (Muses), the eldest of whom was Kalliope (Calliope), followed by Kleio (Clio), Melpomene, Euterpe, Erato, Terpsikhore (Terpsichore), Ourania (Urania), Thaleia (Thalia), and Polymnia." Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "The Mousai (Muses) sang who dwell on Olympos, nine daughters begotten by great Zeus, Kleio (Clio) and Euterpe, Thaleia (Thalia), Melpomene and Terpsikhore (Terpsichore), and Erato and Polymnia (Polyhymnia) and Ourania (Urania) and Kalliope (Calliope)." Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 23.) In works of art she was usually represented in a pensive attitude. 1.) By Oeagrus she became the mother of Orpheus. She presided over lyric poetry, and was believed to have invented the lyre. POLY′MNIA or POLYHY′MNIA (Polumnia), a daughter of Zeus, and one of the nine Muses. ZEUS & MNEMOSYNE (Hesiod Theogony 75, Apollodorus 1.13, Diodorus Siculus 4.7.1, Orphic Hymn 76) Her name was derived from the Greek words poly- "many" and hymnos "praise" or "hymn." In the Classical era, when the Mousai were assigned specific artistic and literary spheres, Polyhymnia was named Muse of religious hymns and portrayed as a woman in a pensive or meditative pose. She holds a shepherd’s staff, which is associated with the god Pan. Her hair is encircled with a wreath of ivy leaves and buds. Thalia is portrayed as a young woman with a joyous air. POLYMNIA (Polyhymnia) was one of the nine Mousai (Muses), the goddesses of music, song and dance. Thalia was the goddess who presided over comedy and idyllic poetry, and in ancient mythology, she was one of the nine Muses. Many Hymns Muse Polyhymnia, Greco-Roman marble statue C2nd A.D., State Hermitage Museum
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