Themis (mythology)

Statue of Temis of the Palace of Justice of Tarnow

In Greek mythology, Themis (Greek Θέμις Themis, meaning 'law of nature' rather than 'human authority') is a goddess pre-Olympic figure representing justice and equity. She is usually depicted with the scales and the sword, and on most occasions blindfolded. She is mentioned by Hesiod among the six brothers and six sisters, sons of Gaia and Urano. Hyginus imagines her as the daughter of Ether and the Earth, and does not include it as part of the Titans. Themis had several temples in Greece, although ancient authors do not describe them in great detail. One of them was located in the oracular sanctuary of Zeus in Dodona, Tanagra.In Athens she owned another temple near the acropolis.

Among these titans of primordial myth, few were venerated in specific sanctuaries in classical times, and Themis was so ancient that followers of Zeus claimed that it was with him that she had the three Fates. wives of Zeus, Themis ranks second, after Metis. A fragment by Pindar, however, tells that the Fates were already present at the nuptials of Zeus and Themis, and that in fact they sprung with Themis from the springs of the Ocean that encircled the world, and they accompanied him along the bright solar path to see Zeus on Olympus. With Zeus he conceived the Hours, Eunomia, Dice and Irene. Themis was present on Delos as a witness to the birth of Apollo. In fact, in a Homeric hymn Themis is explicitly referred to as Icnea, understood as the one "that persecutes or tracks" (those who transgress the laws). Themis, along with the Fates, she once stopped Zeus from killing some thieves who were trying to steal honey from the sacred cave on Mount Dicte, as it would be considered impious for someone to die in the sacred precinct. Instead, Zeus turned the thieves into birds.

Themis, the one of 'good advice', was the embodiment of divine order, laws and customs. In fact, in the Iliad we read that she is in charge of gathering the other gods to participate in the assemblies of Zeus. When ignored, Nemesis brings just and wrathful punishment. Themis was not angry: she, 'the one with beautiful cheeks', was the first to offer Hera a drink when she returned to Olympus afflicted by Zeus's threats. Themis presided over the correct relationship between man and woman, the foundation of the family legitimate and orderly, and the family was the pillar of the dimos. Judges were often called themistopoloi, 'servants of Themis'. Such was the basis of order on Olympus as well. Hera addressed her with great respect, calling her "Lady Themis".

The name Themis could have been replaced by Adrastea ("inescapable") at the birth of Zeus on Crete. She built the Oracle at Delphi, and was a fortune teller herself. Themis was one of the deities that were behind the Oracle of Delphi, which she received from Gaea; later Themis would give it to her sister Phoebe, Apollo's grandmother. Others say that Themis helped Apollo found the oracle, with the purpose of benefiting humanity. Themis continued to advise with her prophecies, thus alerting the other gods of the imminent war that was hanging over Thebes. In another episode it is precisely Themis who warns Zeus and Poseidon about the fate of the Nereid Thetis, who would give birth to a son destined to eclipse his father. Themis was also present when Leto gave birth to Apollo, and personally took charge of feeding him nectar and ambrosia. Or Themis may also have been present at the birth of Zeus, and took charge, along with the nymph Amalthea, of raising the infant. In the Orphic texts it is tells us that Themis will remain a virgin until the day Rhea gives birth to her children.

Themis is implicitly related to Iapetus, indicating that they may have been united as brothers. Aeschylus imagines Prometheus as the son of Themis, but adds that this could also be Gaia. The astral daughters of Zeus and Themis, nymphs of Eridanus or the Hesperides, are traditionally daughters of Atlas, another son of Iapetus. It was precisely to Themis that Deucalion and Pyrrha, blood of Iapetus, went directly. Themis advised them to throw the stones in order to renew humanity. Graves for some reason pairs her with Eurymedon, saying that they both rule the planet of law, Jupiter.

Temis rogacis Δу

The Roman equivalent of one of the aspects of the Hellenic Themis, as the personification of the divine right of law, was Iustitia (trans. "Justice"). Its origins lie in the civil abstractions of the Roman way of thinking, rather than in archaic mythology, so attempting comparisons is not entirely appropriate. Depicted as an impassive woman, blindfolded and carrying scales and a cornucopia, the sculpted image at the entrance to the courthouse is Iustitia, not Themis. She is represented on a lion to point out that justice must be accompanied by strength.

Thesis of the Temple of Nemesis in Ramnonte (Atica), signed by the sculptor Queréstrate (sometimes mistranscribed as Cairestrates), c. 300 a. C.

Consorts and offspring

• With Zeus:
  • Trace, catastered as Virgo
  • Hours (or Stations):
    • He says, "justice."
    • Irene, "peace"
    • Eunomia, “good government”
  • Moiras (or Plots), the Destinations:
    • Cloth, "hilander"
    • Lachosis, «which puts lots»
    • Atropes, "inexorable"
  • The nymphs of the Erídano
  • The Hespérides
  • Athena
• Without specifying consort (Jápeto case):
  • Prometheus