The myth of the muses, the force of inspiration

The myth of the muses is one of the best known of antiquity. These divine beings continue to be referred to as the source of inspiration for different creators, in the arts and sciences. In fact, the word music comes from his name, as does the word museum.

According to the different versions of the myth of the muses, They were the natural companions of Apollo god of music and arts. He had romances with all the muses, at different times, and from those furtive loves a wide descendant arose.

The myth of the muses says that they were happy and festive young women, who They descended to earth to whisper creative ideas in the ears of mortals. If they were able to listen to that advice, they produced wonderful works that aroused admiration. Those who were not visited by the muses ultimately created nothing.

Apollo

The origin of the myth of the muses

The myth of the muses indicates that they were daughters of Zeus, the god of Olympus, and Mnemosyne, a titanic woman who represented memory.. She, in turn, was the daughter of Gaia, the earth mother, and Uranus, personification of the sky. It is said that Mnemosyne and Zeus lay together for nine nights and that for each night a muse was born.

Mythological stories say that in the underworld there was a river called Mnemosyne, next to another called Lethe. Most mortals were invited to drink from the Lethe River before being reincarnated into a new being; The waters of that fountain made them forget their previous lives and start anew..

Instead, the myth of the muses tells that only a select few were invited to drink from the Mnemosyne River. These could remember previous lives and in their next incarnation they became visionaries and prophets..

The nine muses

Although there are stories that talk about other muses, Classical history says that there are nine of them and that each one of them is in charge of some field of knowledge or artistic creation.. It was assumed that if the right muse visited the creator, he would have sudden and wonderful revelations to complete his work. The nine classical muses are the following:

Calliope or “she with the beautiful voice”. She was the muse of eloquence and epic poetry. She wore a laurel wreath and a lyre. She was the lover of Apollo and mother of Orpheus, Lalemo and Reso.Clio or “she who offers glory”. Muse of history, that is, of the epic. His role was to keep alive the memory of generosity and triumphs. She carried a trumpet and an open book.Erató or “the loving one”. Muse of lyric-love poetry, who wore a crown of roses on her head and carried a zither. She was also Apollo’s lover and mother Tamyris.Euterpe or “the very pleasant one.” Muse of music, in particular, of flute playing. She was represented with a crown of flowers.Melpómene or “the melodious one”. Muse of tragedy, or rather of tragic narrative or literary writing. She dressed lavishly and wore a tragic mask.Polyhymnia or “she of many hymns”. Muse of sacred songs and hymns. She was always dressed in white.Talía or “the festive one.” Muse of comedy and bucolic poetry. She was the hostess at banquets and festivities.Terpsichore or “she who delights in dance”. Muse of dance and lyrical singing. She wore garlands and was the mother of Terpsichore, the son she fathered with Apollo.Urania or “the celestial one.” Muse of astronomy, teaching and the exact sciences. She carried a globe and a compass.

The muses Urania and Calliope, Simón Vouet

The presence of the muses

Although the myth of the muses was very important to the Greeks, these beings actually They do not appear frequently in the stories of the gods, and when they do it is normal for them to do so as secondary characters.. Despite this, it was thought that his inspiration was fundamental for the action of all the protagonists.

It is said that King Pierus of Pieria, in Thrace, had nine daughters with great gifts for singing. Their art was so beautiful that they decided to travel to Mount Helicon, where the muses lived, and challenge them.. The muses gladly accepted.

When the nine girls began to sing, all the birds fell silent. Their song was so beautiful that nature fell silent. Then it was the turn of the muses and when they sang their song, even the stones cried.. Having won the competition, the muses decided to turn the nine young women into magpies to punish their arrogance.

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