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Eirene is the Greek goddess of peace, and was numbered among the Horae. She is the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Her Roman name was Pax.

Myths & Legends[]

Along with Dike and Eunomia, she belonged to the second-generation Horae, goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time. Eirene and her sisters also enacted their namesake upon mankind, and were seen as protectors of civilization and internal peace, especially of cities. 

"The Horai, as they are called, to each of them, according as her name indicates, was given the ordering and adornment of life, so as to serve to the greatest advantage of mankind; for there is nothing which is better to build a life of felicity than obedience to law (eunomia) and justice (dike) and peace (eirene)."

- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 72. 5 (trans. Oldfather)

As one of the Horae of the seasons, she was also frequently worshipped in agriculture with her sisters.



Appearance[]

She was depicted as a young lady carrying a cornucopia, a torch and a sceptre. The Athenians had a high regard for Eirene and had erected altars in her honour. One of these statues is depicted at the beginning of this page, and that statue symbolises that prosperity (Ploutos) arrives when there is peace.

 Handmaidens[]

The Horae are often considered handmaidens to certain gods, usally affiliated with Helios/Apollo. Eirene is specifically considered a nursemaid for Demeter.  


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