Eileithyia

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"Ilithyia" redirects here. For the former snout moth genus, see Aphomia.
Not to be confused with Aletheia.
Eileithyia
Goddess of childbirth
Lucina
Egyptian equivalentTaweret
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Eileithyia or Ilithyia (

Eleusis.[4] In his Seventh Nemean Ode, Pindar refers to her as the maid to or seated beside the Moirai (Fates) and responsible for the creation of offspring. Her son was Sosipolis, who was worshiped at Elis.[5]

Etymology

The earliest form of the name is the

latinisation
of Εἰλείθυια.

The etymology of the name is uncertain, but debated among scholars.

Eleusis.[11][12] Nilsson also believed that the name "Eleusis" is pre-Greek.[13]

Origins

According to F. Willets, the goddess shows a clear connection to a preexisting Minoan goddess, as well as an earlier Neolithic concept. Eileithyia's guidance in childbirth may give influence of the first midwife.[14] To Homer, she is "the goddess of childbirth".[15] The Iliad pictures Eileithyia alone, or sometimes multiplied, as the Eileithyiai:

And even as when the sharp dart striketh a woman in travail, [270] the piercing dart that the Eilithyiae, the goddesses of childbirth, send—even the daughters of Hera that have in their keeping bitter pangs;[16]

— Iliad 11.269–272

Gaia, Cronus was a Titan of the first generation and he was identified as the father of Zeus. Likewise, the meticulously accurate mythographer Pindar
(522–443 BC) also makes no mention of Zeus:

Eleithuia, seated beside the deep-thinking Fates, hear me, creator of offspring, child of Hera great in strength.

— Seventh Nemean Ode, Line 1, translated by Diane Arnson Svarlien, 1990

Later, for the Classical Greeks, "She is closely associated with Artemis and Hera," Burkert asserts, "but develops no character of her own".[20] In the Orphic Hymn to Prothyraeia, virginal Artemis is given an epithet relating to the goddess of childbirth, making the divine huntress also "she who comes to the aid of women in childbirth":[21]

When racked with labour pangs, and sore distressed
the sex invoke thee, as the soul's sure rest;
for thou Eileithyia alone canst give relief to pain,
which art attempts to ease, but tries in vain.
Artemis Eileithyia, venerable power,
who bringest relief in labour's dreadful hour.

— Orphic Hymn 2, to Prothyraeia, as translated by Thomas Taylor, 1792.

Eileithyia is commonly in classical Greek art most often depicted assisting childbirth. Vase-painters, when illustrating the birth of Athena from Zeus' head, may show two assisting Eileithyiai, with their hands raised in the epiphany gesture. The Beauty of Durrës, a large 4th-century B.C.E. mosaic shows the head figure of a woman, probably portrays the goddess Eileithyia.[22] A fragment by Callimachus has Eileithyia assist her full-sister Hebe in her labour,[23] presumably when she gave birth to Alexiares and Anicetus, her sons by Heracles.

Cult

As the primary goddess of childbirth along with Artemis, Eileithyia had numerous shrines in many locations in Greece dating from Neolithic to Roman times, indicating that she was extremely important to pregnant women and their families.[24] People would pray for and leave offerings for aid in fertility, safe childbirth, or give appreciation for a successful birth.[25] Archaeological evidence of terracotta votive figurines depict children found at shrines, and holy sites dedicated to Eileithyia suggest that she was a kourotrophic divinity, whom parents would have prayed to for protection and care of their children.[25] Midwives had an essential role in ancient Greek society, with women of all classes participating in the profession - many being slaves with only empirical training or some theoretical training in obstetrics and gynecology.[26] More highly educated midwives, typically from higher classes, were referred to as iatrenes or doctors of women's diseases and would be respected as physicians.[26]

She was invoked by women in labour, to ease the pain of labour, and to further the birth. Callimachus recorded the hymn:[27]

Even so again, Eileithyia, come thou when Kykainis calls, to bless her pains with easy birth; so may thy fragrant shrine have, as now this offering for a girl, some other offering hereafter for a boy.

— Callimachus, Epigrams 54, translated by Mair[full citation needed]

She was strongly connected with the goddesses Artemis and Hekate, sharing with the latter strong chthonic elements in her cult.[25]

Achaea

Pausanias described a sanctuary to the goddess in the city of

Aigion, and the cult associated with it: "At Aigion [in Akhaia] is an ancient sanctuary of Eileithyia, and her image is covered from head to foot with finely-woven drapery; it is of wood except the face, hands and feet, which are made of Pentelic marble. One hand is stretched out straight; the other holds up a torch. One might conjecture that torches are an attribute of Eileithyia because the pangs of women are just like fire. The torches might also be explained by the fact that it is Eileithyia who brings children to the light."[28]

Aside from the sanctuary in the city of Aigion, Pausanias also noted that there were temples to the goddess in the towns of Boura[29] and Pellene in Achaea.[30]

Arcadia

Pausanias described two sanctuaries to the goddess in Arcadia, one in the town of Kleitor[31] and the other one in Tegea.[32] In Kleitor, she was worshipped as one of the most important deities, along with Demeter and Asklepios, and her sanctuary the most important one alongside the other two.[31]

Argos

Offerings were often given to the goddess Eileithyia within the ten days following a child's birth[33] Pausanias describes a sanctuary to her in the city of Argos, and the myth associated with it: "Near the Lords [sanctuary of the Dioskouroi at Argos] is a sanctuary of Eilethyia, dedicated by Helene when, Theseus having gone away with Peirithous to Thesprotia, Aphidna had been captured by the Dioskouroi and Helen was being brought to Lakedaimon. For it is said that she was with child, was delivered in Argos, and founded the sanctuary of Eilethyia, giving the daughter she bore to Klytaimnestra, who was already wedded to Agamemnon."[34] Pausanias noted a shrine to her in Mycenae, and an important shrine in Mases in Argolis: "[At Mases, Argos] there is a sanctuary of Eileithyia within the wall. Every day, both with sacrifices and with incense, they magnificently propitiate the goddess, and, moreover, there is a vast number of votive gifts offered to Eileithyia. But the image no one may see, except, perhaps, the priestesses."[35]

Athens

There were ancient icons of Eileithyia at Athens, one said to have been brought from Crete, according to

Lucina
("of the light").

Pausanias noted:

[Near the Prytaneion or Town Hall of Athens] is a temple of Eileithyia, who they say came from the Hyperboreans to Delos and helped Leto in her labour; and from Delos the name spread to other peoples. The Delians sacrifice to Eileithyia and sing a hymn of Olen. But the Kretans suppose that Eileithyia was born at Amnisos in the Knossian territory [in Krete], and that Hera was her mother. Only among the Athenians are the wooden figures of Eileithyia draped to the feet. The women told me that two are Kretan, being offerings of Phaidra [daughter of the mythical King Minos of Krete], and that the third, which is the oldest, Erysikhthon [an early king of Athens] brought from Delos.[37]

Corinth

Pausanias noted a sanctuary in Corinth: "When you have turned from the Akrokorinthos [at Korinthos] into the mountain road you see the Teneatic gate and a sanctuary of Eileithyia."[38]

Crete

The

Eleusinian cult, where the following words were uttered: "Mighty Potnia bore a strong son."[45]

In classical times, there were shrines to Eileithyia in the Cretan cities of

Tsoutsouros Inatos, two small terracotta figures, one breastfeeding and the other pregnant, have been dated to the 7th century.[24]

Delos

According to the

Homeric Hymn III to Delian Apollo, Hera detained Eileithyia, who was coming from the Hyperboreans in the far north, to prevent Leto from going into labor with Artemis and Apollo, since the father was her husband Zeus. Hera was jealous of Zeus's affairs and tended to enact revenge upon the women. The other goddesses present at the birthing on Delos had sent Iris to bring Eileithyia forth. As she stepped upon the island, the birth began. This hymn is contradicted by Hesiod's Theogony, where Apollo and Artemis are born before Hera's marriage to Zeus, and therefore neither Hera or Eileithyia are mentioned interfering with the birth of the twins.[17] On Delos, a shrine was dedicated to Eileithyia, and was worshipped in a mid-winter festival the named Eileithyaea.[46] It was said by Callimachus that the hymn sung during festival was the same as that sung by nymphs at Apollo's birth. This cult likely goes back to the Archaic period, and the cult was associated with other local Delian childbirth deities associated with Artemis, Opis and Arge.[46]

Eretriam

Archaeologists uncovered a sanctuary dedicated to Eileithyia at Eretria. The sanctuary had been placed in the northwestern section of a gymnasium.[47][full citation needed]

Messene

Pausanias noted that "The Messenians have a temple erected to Eileithyia [at Messene, Messenia] with a stone statue."[48]

Olympia

On the Greek mainland, at

Arcadia. The child, placed on the ground between the contending forces, changed into a serpent, driving the Arcadians away in flight, before it disappeared into the hill.[19]

Paros

Eileithyia had a cult south of the Mount Kounados on the

Cycladic Island of Paros, where a cave with a natural spring functioned as an informal sanctuary.[25] Numerous artifacts have been found, such as pottery, bronze pieces, and marble plaques, which indicate use of the site from the Geometric period to the Roman period.[25] It has been theorized that the site was used for prayers for both female and male fertility, based on the type of offerings that have been found.[49]

Sparta

There was a sanctuary dedicated to Eileithyia near the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia,[24] which Pausanias noted: "Not far from Orthia [the temple of Artemis in Sparta, Lakedaimon] is a sanctuary of Eileithyia. They say that they built it, and came to worship Eileithyia as a goddess, because of an oracle from Delphoi."[50]

Genealogy

Eileithyia's family tree
UranusGaia
CronusRhea
ZeusHera
    a [51]
     b [52]
HebeAresEILEITHYIAHephaestus
Sosipolis

Notes

  1. ^ Joseph Emerson Worcester, A comprehensive dictionary of the English language, Boston, 1871, p. 480, rule 3, where he notes the word has four syllables as in Greek and Latin, "not I-lith-y-i'-a as in Walker" (e.g. Walker and Trollope, A key to the classical pronunciation etc., London, 1830, p. 123).
  2. ^ a b Nilsson Vol I, p. 313
  3. ^ Gantz, pp. 82–83.
  4. ^ F.Schachermeyer(1967).Die Minoische Kultur des alten Kreta. Kohlhammer Verlag Stuttgart. pp. 141–142
  5. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 6.20
  6. ^ "The Linear B word e-re-u-ti-ja". Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of Ancient languages. Raymoure, K. A. "e-re-u-ti-ja". Minoan Linear A & Mycenaean Linear B. Deaditerranean. Archived from the original on 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  7. ^ R. S. P. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009, p. 383.
  8. ^ Max Müller, Contributions to the Science of Mythology, Vol. 2, Kessinger Publishing, 2003 [1897], p. 697
  9. ^ a b Walter Burkert (1985) Greek Religion. Harvard University Press p.171
  10. ^ Nilsson, Vol I, p. 312
  11. Eleusis
    ". Willets, p. 222.
  12. ^ F.Schachermeyer (1967). Die Minoische Kultur des alten Kreta. Stuttgart: W. Kohlhammer. p. 141
  13. ^ Nilsson Vol I, p. 312
  14. S2CID 246878304
    .
  15. ^ Homer, Iliad 16.187, 19.103.
  16. ^ Homer, Iliad 11.270, The plural is also used at Iliad 19.119.
  17. ^ a b Hesiod, Theogony 912–923.
  18. ^ Greek Anthology Book 6, 6.244
  19. ^ a b Pausanias, 6.20.
  20. OCLC 1120879562
    .
  21. ^ Graves, Robert (1955). The Greek Myths.
  22. ^ Bank of Albania. Coin with "The Beauty of Durrës". Archived 2012-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Callimachus Fr. 524: Εἰνατίην ὁμόδελφυν ἐπ᾿ ὠδίνεσσιν ἰδοῦσα.
  24. ^ a b c Dillon, Matthew (2002). Girls and Women in Classical Greek Religion. Milton Park, Oxfordshire: Routledge. p. 230.
  25. ^ a b c d e Wise, Susan (2007). Childbirth Votives and Rituals in Ancient Greece (PhD). University of Cincinnati.
  26. ^
    S2CID 207435300
    .
  27. doi:10.4159/dlcl.callimachus-epigrams.1921
    . Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  28. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 7. 23. 5
  29. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 7. 25. 9
  30. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 7. 27. 7
  31. ^ a b Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 21. 3
  32. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 48. 7
  33. ^ Sophocles (1894). The Plays and Fragments. Translated by Jebb, Richard C. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Part VI: The Electra.
  34. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 22. 6
  35. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 35. 11
  36. ^ Pausanias, 8.48.7 .
  37. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 18. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.)
  38. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 5. 4
  39. ^ Homer, Odyssey 19.189.
  40. ^ Smith, William (1854). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography; Amni'sus. Walton and Maberly.
  41. ^ For the proceedings and findings of the archaeology, see Amnisos.
  42. ^ Walter Burkert (1985). Greek Religion. Harvard University Press. p. 26
  43. ^ Dietrich, pp. 220–221.
  44. ^ Dietrich, p. 109.
  45. ^ Dietrich, p. 167
  46. ^
    JSTOR 284008
    .
  47. ^ "Ancient Gymnasium Uncovered on Greek Island of Evia"
  48. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 4. 31. 9
  49. S2CID 144513687
    .
  50. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 17. 1
  51. ^ According to Homer, Iliad 1.570–579, 14.338, Odyssey 8.312, Hephaestus was apparently the son of Hera and Zeus, see Gantz, p. 74.
  52. ^ According to Hesiod, Theogony 927–929, Hephaestus was produced by Hera alone, with no father, see Gantz, p. 74.

References

External links

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