Titan Goddess of Divine Order and Law – The Personification of Justice
Themis was a Titaness (the female version of Titan), which was a generation of gods that came before the Olympians. This was the Golden Age, a time of peace when the Titan Kronos ruled over all others. The goddess Themis was one of the first twelve Titans. Direct descendants of Gaea (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Father Sky), the first beings to ever exist in the universe.
Themis – Law And Justice
Themis was the raw personification of Justice. She oversaw fairness, the laws of the gods, the laws of human nature, the laws made by man and customs (or tradition). She was able to see the future, and because of this, became one of many in a line of Oracles of Delphi (also known as Pythia).
An Oracle of Delphi was a high priestess who served at the Temple of Apollo at the ancient site of Delphi. The priestess was able to foretell divine prophecies once filled with the spirit of Apollo. Some legends say Themis created this oracle position while others credit Gaea, who then gave it to her. Themis is often seen holding a sword, which represents her ability to separate, or cut, the truth from the lies. And sometimes, she’s holding a scale, a symbol for justice and balance.
Rough Justice
When the will of Themis was ignored, her counterpart Nemesis sought to punish those who chose not to listen to the gods. They were hit with the fullest extent of her wrath. The two goddesses were sort of entwined in their duties. Which is why it made sense that they shared a temple in the ancient Greek city of Rhamnous.
Together with Zeus, Themis bore the Horae, or the goddesses of the seasons. She also gave birth to Natura, a goddess of the forest. Some say that Zeus and Themis created the Three Fates, or the Morai, while others say they already existed and even attended their divine wedding ceremony. This interpretation goes on to say that the Three Fates were actually born with Themis in the sea and that they traveled with her to Mount Olympus to meet Zeus.
Themis In Mythology
Prometheus Bound
In the play “Prometheus Bound,” attributed to Aeschylus, Themis is mentioned as the one who advised Prometheus about the future, including the prophecy that Zeus’s son would overthrow him. This myth presents her characteristic wisdom and her role as a counsellor to other gods.
The Judgment of Paris
Although not directly involved, Themis is said to have been the one who suggested the contest that led to the Judgment of Paris, indirectly setting the events of the Trojan War into motion.
Assembly of the Gods
Themis is often depicted as the convener of the assembly of gods on Mount Olympus. Her role as a gatherer of the gods for council sessions underlines her importance in maintaining cosmic order and ensuring that the divine laws are upheld.
Goddess Themis Facts
- Themis played a crucial role during the Titanomachy, the war between the Titans and the Olympians.
- Unlike many Titans who sided with Cronus, Themis was known for her wisdom and foresight. She counselled for peace and eventually sided with the Olympians.
- Before Apollo took over the Oracle of Delphi, she served as its guardian. This position highlights her deep connection with divine law and the prophetic power she wielded.
- In ancient depictions, Themis is not always shown with the blindfold commonly associated with modern representations of justice. This absence signifies the ancient Greeks’ belief in her ability to foresee events and judge without the need for blindness to ensure impartiality.
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