Of course, the beautiful virgin goddess also appeared in paintings. The goddess was heavily covered by Latin author Gaius Julius Hyginus, French author Honoré d’Urfé, and more. In addition to appearances from the works of Ovid and Hesiod, she appeared in poems from the likes of Virgil, Edmund Spencer, and John Milton. She became a symbol of hope, inspiring many works of art throughout history. Astraea’s LegacyĪstraea’s impact is long-lasting and far-reaching. The proximity of the two constellations further cements the strong relationship the immortals shared. Libra represents a set of scales, which symbolizes justice and the goddess dike. The Virgo constellation, which depicts the virgin, is close to the Libra constellation. The two deities had a close connection, and their relationship is evident in the stars. The goddess was forever linked to Dike, the goddess of justice. That’s not Astraea’s only connection to the cosmos. Most accounts say that she was transformed by Zeus himself, serving as a celestial symbol to remind humans of their failure. When Astraea left and abandoned humanity, she reportedly ascended to the heavens and became the constellation Virgo. When she does, they hope she’ll usher in a new Golden Age for humanity. It was when things became unfixable that she fled and never returned.Īncient Greeks, and the many civilizations who retold Astraea’s tale after that, believe that the goddess of innocence will return to Earth someday. Either way, she was one of the last to stick by the sides of humans. However, others say that the goddess held out until the final Iron Age. Some versions of Astraea’s legend say that she left during the Bronze Age when humans became hardened by war. Misery and wickedness rang throughout humanity, leaving the innocence of the former paradise a thing of the past. Disgusted by how much the human race had fallen. Unfortunately, the utopian Golden Age did not last forever. However, Astraea is accepted as its most popular ambassador. Some legends say that the Titan Cronus presided over the Golden Age. During this time, the Golden Race of humanity lived. In mythology, the ages represented the history of human existence and its subsequent deterioration.ĭuring the Golden Age, humankind was at its peak. The Golden Age was one of the five Ages of Man in the old Greek religion. Her story grew into prominence during the European Rennaisance, representing the concepts of renewal.Īstraea is most known as the last of the immortals to live among humans during the Golden Age of man. While she wasn’t the most well-known Greek goddess, her reputation of purity and justice stuck with many throughout Ancient Greece and beyond.
She often carried a flaming torch and the implement of divine justice: Zeus’ lighting bolts. She often donned a partially see-through dress or cloak, putting her pure body on display.Īstraea’s strong connection to justice also led to some aggressive accessories. In most cases, artists depicted her as a beautiful winged maiden. In Ancient Greece, she was the subject of many paintings, sculptures, and vases. There is no shortage of artwork inspired by Astraea. However, those versions of the tale could confuse Astraea with her Dike, with whom she has a strong association. Instead, those stories said that she was the progeny of Zeus and Themis. In some accounts, Astraea didn’t come from Astraeus and Eos. Astraea was reportedly the only daughter of Astraeus. Others include the four Anemoi winds, Boreas, Notus, Eurus, and Zephyrus. As nightfall and daybreak, the two deities produce many children. Astraeus was the astrological god of dusk.Īstraea’s mother was Eos, who was the goddess of the dawn.
According to Hesiod’s Theogony, her father was the second-generation Titan, Astraeus. The most commonly accepted myth is that she was the daughter of the descendants of Titans. There are a couple of different versions of Astraea’s history. Later on, she symbolized the fall of humanity and the hope that a new age of innocence would one day return. She represented all that was good in the world. Often referred to as the “Star Goddess” or “Star Maiden,” Astraea was a beloved deity. Stories of jealousy, unjust punishment, and worse, add a more humanistic side to tales of heroism and wonder.Įven still, some immortal beings were the personification of perfection! One such figure was Astraea.Īstraea is the virgin god of justice, innocence, purity, and precision. Unlike other cultures, Ancient Greeks weren’t shy to speak about the negative aspects of their deities. In canons of Greek Mythology, moral ambiguity colored many iconic figures in an interesting light.
0 kommentar(er)
