In ancient Greece, as in Rome, the dominant religion was paganism, characterized by polytheism, also called polytheism. This means that a separate mythological character was responsible for each area of human activity. The main deities, called the pantheon, included a dozen super-beings, led by Zeus, who was considered the ruler of the sky, the thunderer and the personification of absolute power. The narrow circle also included his wife Hera, who patronized the family; Poseidon, who was something of a naval minister; Athena, who oversaw wisdom; Aphrodite, who owned the strings of beauty and love; Ares, the leader of the generals, as well as Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Hephaestus, Demeter and Hestia. All these heroes of myths, in addition to their special abilities, had one more interesting property. They were very similar to ordinary people in appearance, actions, and motivation. The humanoidness of these deities has received the name of anthropomorphism. The goddess Hecate in Greek mythology occupies a special place. She was worshiped and sacrificed by many, but they did it infrequently, very carefully, and sometimes even secretly.
Origin
If Apollo was a god of light, then it is quite logical that someone in AncientGreece had to answer for the darkness. Such was the goddess Hecate, the bearer of a clearly chthonic character, who got into official mythology from pre-Olympic times, that is, before Zeus ascended to the sacred Mount Olympus. Her duties included curating sorcery, witchcraft, nightmares and other gloomy manifestations of mental human activity. Its origin is partly eastern, the titan Pers (Destroyer) is considered to be her father, and Asteria (the goddess of light, oracles and night prophecies, including prophetic dreams, astrology and necromancy) is considered her mother. The goddess of hell, Hecate, is also the granddaughter of Helios (the Sun). All this means that she does not trace a direct genealogical connection with the Olympian celestials (according to Hesiod). Moreover, she represents the class of defeated titans, but, despite this, she retained her functions, and also won the respect of Zeus himself, who introduced her into a narrow circle of the inhabitants of the new pantheon, entrusting her with a very responsible job.
Hecate's field of activity
The goddess of darkness, Hekate, is actually not always scary - she helped people in their everyday life, patronizing cattle breeding, judicial office work, the people's assembly, sports and military success. In addition, she protected young children and adolescents, "managed" motherhood, assisted in the process of birth (now it would be called the perinatal function) and further education. And the goddess Hecate helped the wanderers and consoled the abandoned lovers. So wide rangeduties is explained by the fact that part of the functions was transferred to her from Apollo, Artemis and Hermes. But all this was just "part-time work." But darkness remained the main thing for her.
Scientific research on image
Early references to her are found in Hesiod's Theogony (Greek epic poetic period between the 8th and 7th centuries BC). The inscription on the gate of the ancient city of Miletus in the form of the name of the goddess as a protector is another proof of her presence in the archaic Greek religion (about the 6th century BC).
The first sculptural images give an idea of a one-faced female image, later statues with a large number of faces appeared (mostly with three, but sometimes four). In 1896, the historian Lewis Richard Farnell observed that images and literary references were found more frequently in the fringes than in the centers of Greek polytheism. The goddess of darkness, Hekate, is described inconsistently and polymorphically, and her definition and description eludes the reader. Her worlds are earth, sea and sky. Her ability to create or subdue storms probably played a role in her acceptance as the patroness of shepherds and sailors.
Moon
The last day of the month belongs to Hekate, it was at this time that the ancient Greeks paid tribute to her and made their requests. For this reason, she is also the goddess of the moon. Hecate was often depicted with her sacred dogs, sometimes dressed in a medium-length robe and boots, like her cousin, the patronhunters. However, Hecate and her dogs often have three heads and are able to see in all directions. Like Artemis, the Greek goddess Hekate loves solitude and is virginal. This means that in most literary sources, she never marries or has children. Perhaps it is precisely because of the lack of joy of motherhood that she protects pregnant women and alleviates their suffering. The goddess Hekate stands guard over the he alth of children.
Skin
According to the legends, she is invisible or feels like some movement of incorporeal light. Perhaps due to this very quality, Hekate is considered the goddess of the moon, although her images contradict this idea. It is quite possible (so some scientists believe) that her ability to glow is inspired by the image of her mother, the star Asteria. Each statue of the goddess Hekate gives an idea not of some ethereal being, but rather of a solid and completely earthly one. The consequence of the desire to resolve this contradiction is manifested in the torch that the ancient Greek sculptors put into her hand. Usually the goddess of the underworld, Hekate, is depicted as a beautiful woman (it happens, however, with three heads), but sometimes she is quite scary. Sometimes she is shown with lion, snake, horse, dog or boar heads (in various combinations). It is understandable why she is considered the goddess of visions and knowledge.
Abilities
Her ability to see in multiple directions at once (including the past, present and future) is central to some of the most famousmyths. For example, when Hades kidnapped Persephone, it was Hecate, who had the opportunity to see all the way to the realm of the dead, who accompanied Demeter during the search for her missing daughter, lighting the way with her torch. The goddess of the underworld, Hekate, continued to play an important role in Persephone's life, supporting her during her year-long captivity. Hades was glad to be friends with her, showed hospitality to her, honoring her as his guest, who was allowed to come and go freely.
According to legend, she visited graves, cemeteries and crime scenes, and her arrival is usually preceded by barking or howling dogs. Also, the goddess Hecate is considered the protector of the oppressed. In ancient Rome, many slaves were set free to serve her cult as priests in special gardens built in her honor.
Sacrifices of Hekate
An indispensable element of the cult veneration of this goddess in the ancient world was the so-called dinner of Hecate. He was preparing to appease the powerful patroness of the downtrodden and avoid many of the troubles that are possible in the event of an improper level of respect (ghosts of the living dead, for example). Offerings were brought to the crossroads to the statue and included various foods. It was believed that one should be generous and not spare eggs, milk, honey and black lambs - this is what Hekate loves to eat most of all. The goddess shared these offerings with the homeless and destitute under her protection. It was also customary at the end of the lunar month to put chicken hearts outside the threshold, sacrificing them for the glory ofHekates. History is silent about who ate them, but you can guess that cats and dogs were very happy with them.
Quotes
In Roman mythology, Hekate was known as Trivia (goddess of the crossroads). The ancient Greeks revered her as the goddess of fertility and abundance, the moon and night ghosts. The mythological rationale for why the goddess Hekate brings we alth is interesting. Quotes from ancient texts indicate that:
1. “The goddess Gaia, through the love of a god… gave birth to Asteria, whom Perses brought to his big house to call her dear wife. And she conceived and gave birth to Hekate, whom Zeus, the son of Kronos, revered above all.
2. “He gave her splendid gifts, a share of the land and the barren sea. She also received the starry sky and the honor of the immortal gods. For whenever any of the people on earth offers rich sacrifices and prays for favor, according to custom, he invokes Hekate.”
3. "Great honor comes to the one whose prayers are pleasing to the goddess, and she will bestow we alth on him."
4. “And when people arm themselves for battle, the goddess will give victory to whomever she favors. It is also good when people claim to have won the games, because the goddess is with them, and the one who wins the victory by power and strength easily wins the rich prize with joy and brings glory to his parents.”
5. “Herds of cows and wide herds of goats, and flocks of fleecy sheep, if she wishes, increase from a few, or she makes many be smaller.”
Priestesses of Hekate
Euripides in "Iphigenia in Tauris" directly pointed out that "Iphigenia was a priestess of the goddess,worshiped the Taurus.”
The powerful witch Circe (Kirke), a character in Homer's Odyssey, is also believed to have been a priestess of Hecate.
Medea was also a priestess and wielded the secrets of sorcery. She called on the name of Hecate in Colchis and Corinth to guide her: "… throughout the day she was busy in the temple of Hecate, since she herself was a priestess of the goddess." And one more thing: "There is a maiden … whom the goddess Hekate taught to handle magic herbs with excellent skill" ("The Book of the Argonauts", III).
Ultimately, Medea ordered the Argonauts to propitiate Hekate with a sacrifice.
What was Hekate
After all the reading, the reader, accustomed to a simplified modern scheme for evaluating characters and dividing them into antagonists and protagonists, may be interested in the answer to the question of which class of mythical creatures the ancient Greek goddess Hekate should be attributed to. Is her image positive, or is she, rather, the personification of universal evil? Most likely, such a statement of the question would have introduced a resident of Hellas into a kind of stupor. The fact is that the epic gods were endowed with the features of ordinary people. They were pleased with flattery, they were subjected to the same temptations as the ordinary inhabitants of Ancient Greece or Rome, they wanted generous offerings, and they did not shy away from simple human joys. In light of this, they were also characterized by the emotions of ordinary people. Some liked them, some didn't. To draw conclusions about how good, kind or, on the contrary, evil and merciless, they were considered unacceptable in the ancient world. What are there, suchthere is, and the task was only to please these gods.
What if the Statue of Liberty is an image…
It just so happened that democratic values on our planet are usually associated with the symbols of the New World. One of them is the Statue of Liberty, built by the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who professed Masonic views. The author had previously proposed to create a work in honor of Eastern civilization and install it at the entrance to the Suez Canal, but then it didn’t work out, but he managed to become famous a little later in the USA. What common features does the goddess of darkness Hekate have with this statue? The statue raises a torch, which indirectly alludes to the darkness surrounding it. The head of this lady is crowned with a crown consisting of pointed spikes. When comparing these attributes of Freedom and images of ancient Greek idols, certain associations involuntarily suggest themselves. Most of all, the American statue is reminiscent of the goddess of darkness, Hekate. A photo of the statue's face gives an idea of perfect beauty, without causing any erotic associations. What can she look for in the daytime with fire, and why does she need a torch? What do these horns-rays symbolize, overshadowing the forehead like the snakes of the Gorgon?
Now one can only guess what deity Bartholdi had in mind while working on his sketches. The fact remains the undeniable similarity that the symbol of "universal democracy" and the goddess of the underworld Hekate have. Photos of these sculptures are easy to compare. As in the past millennia, they awaken hope in the souls of some, and frighten others. Still othersdo not believe in the omnipotence of darkness and are ready to fight it.
