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Eleos
Greek deity of mercy and compassion From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In ancient Athens, Eleos (Ancient Greek Ἔλεος m.) was the personification of pity and compassion, serving as an opposite to Anaideia.[1] Pausanias described her as "among all the gods the most useful to human life in all its vicissitudes."[2]
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Mythology
Pausanias states that there was an altar in Athens dedicated to Eleos,[3][2] at which children of Heracles sought refuge from Eurystheus' prosecution.[4][failed verification] Adrastus also came to this altar after the defeat of the Seven against Thebes, praying that those who died in the battle be buried.[citation needed] Eleos was only recognized in Athens, where she was honored by the cutting of hair and the undressing of garments at the altar.[5][6]
Statius in Thebaid (1st century) describes the altar to Clementia in Athens (treating Eleos as feminine based on the grammatical gender in Latin): "There was in the midst of the city [of Athens] an altar belonging to no god of power; gentle Clementia (Clemency) [Eleos] had there her seat, and the wretched made it sacred".[7]
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See also
Look up Ἔλεος in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- (Goddesses of Justice): Astraea, Dike, Themis, Prudentia
- (Goddesses of Injustice): Adikia
- (Aspects of Justice): (see also: Triple deity/Triple Goddess (Neopaganism))
- (Justice) Themis/Dike/Justitia (Lady Justice), Raguel (the Angel of Justice)
- (Retribution) Nemesis/Rhamnousia/Rhamnusia/Adrasteia/Adrestia/Invidia
- (Redemption) Eleos/Soteria/Clementia, Zadkiel/Zachariel (the Angel of Mercy)
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Notes
References
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