Description
The Muses were the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory) and were associated with various arts: Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Euterpe (flute-playing), Terpsichore (lyric poetry and dance), Erato (lyric poetry), Melpomene (tragedy), Thalia (comedy), Polyhymnia (hymns and pantomime), and Urania (astronomy). In Greek myth and culture, the Muses were honored as beautiful goddesses who brought inspiration to artists. In the Hellenistic period, the Muses were widely depicted, and certain statue types have been thought to depict particular Muses. This seated Muse, holding her chin in a thoughtful gesture, is traditionally thought to be Urania, Muse of astronomy. Statues of the Muses also adorned the great scholarly complex in Alexandria known as the Mouseion, "Place of the Muses," which has given us the modern word "museum."
Results