Female archetypes. Quiet. God of wealth among the Greeks. Ancient Greek gods of wealth. Gods of money, wealth and luck in Greek mythology Goddess tyuhe everything about her
Tyche (Tyche, Fortune)- the archetype, which combines the conflicting desires of unlimited control over their own and other people's lives, and absolute fearlessness before the consequences.
Tyche is a woman who has many ideas and associated emotions that are constantly changing, and the ideas can be radically opposite. This is the archetype of an easy and fun, but at the same time, very bossy and emotionally excitable woman.
Such women are very fond of observing the life of friends and acquaintances, advising them how to act. Tyche often shapes and directs the lives of his family members. This woman always knows how to act correctly in this moment, but she cannot plan for the future, since much in her life depends on the momentary impulse.
Tyche builds relationships with people a little paradoxically, she chooses a social circle of the "like - dislike" type without having a pretty good reason for this. Raging emotionality in such cases is expressed either in full acceptance despite the shortcomings or in a constant struggle with imaginary enemies despite their merits. Just like in myths - if someone is at the top of the Wheel of Fortune, then someone must always be below.
Women perceive Tyche as an emotional, kind and compassionate friend. Tyche loves to listen to frank female conversations, in which her thought is appreciated and taken into account. Her friends are often guided by Tyche's advice, thereby relieving herself of some of the responsibility for their actions, but she likes the opportunity to manage, and the feeling of power and control associated with her. She rarely feels genuine pity for the suffering of others.
Tyche is a pretty good manipulator, she can attract someone into her social circle, but if for some reason a person becomes unpleasant to her, she skillfully makes sure that the very circumstances and attitudes of others do not allow him to stay in the same place and in the same position ... All these logical actions are usually provoked by a powerful emotional impulse - through one wrong step of a friend, a careless word or action. But emotionality also plays a role when, after a relatively short period of time, a friendship is restored as suddenly as it ended.
In relationships with men, she is somewhat reminiscent of Athena with her coldness in achieving her goal, but Tyche can quite often, brightly and sensually fall in love with men of different status and appearance, with whom she should be interested. If Tyche falls in love, she tries to help the object of sympathy, but she cannot but show her essence, and over time begins to manipulate him, taking part in all his endeavors, guiding him in his work or simply working nearby, giving advice. Such a woman will certainly want to know everything about her man, what is happening to him and what he feels.
Tyche was the goddess of happiness - she was revered in many cities that willingly surrendered to her care, she was glorified by poets. She had several names: Tyukha, Tyche, Tycheya. Tyche consider the sister of the Nereids, attractive sea nymphs, others - the daughter of Prometheus, and some more - the daughter of Zeus himself. In Greek mythology, it was to a certain extent a custom in controversial cases of Zeus, the common forefather of gods and people, to be considered a father. Tyche was the goddess of happiness — she was honored in many cities, which willingly surrendered to her care, she was glorified by poets, orphaned people turned to her with heartfelt prayers. Under her supervision, the ships sail to safe marinas, thanks to her, a truce ensues in the war, which knocks out the bloody weapons from the hands of people.
Why do we call her the patroness of Gorgippia? But because during the period of the great Greek colonization, in a period when the unconditional belief in the predetermination of fate was shaken, when the Hellenes were worried about the question "what awaits them on an unfamiliar coast - death or a bright future?" it was Tyche who began to be considered the patroness of cities erected far from their homeland. Even the high headdress of the goddess was depicted in the form of city defensive walls.
From this fickle goddess, whom Zeus himself feared according to mythology, because she could radically change all his orders, literally everything depended in the life of the Gorgippians:
- whether it will rain out of a clear sky;
- whether the cold fog will settle on the blooming gardens;
- will wolves attack the peacefully grazing herds;
- whether the enemy will stumble during the fight, stepping on a stone talus.
From early childhood residents Gorgippia they knew that this goddess could either bestow untold riches from the Cornucopia of a person she liked, or take the last away from a poor man who somehow did not please her.
Several sculptural images of the goddess have been found on the territory of modern Anapa and in its vicinity. The largest of them was found during excavations of one of the households on the territory of the museum-reserve. The statuette was located in the home altar in the basement of the house, not far from which a tablet was found, the first words of which are "Kind Tyche ...". Even without being around, the Gorgippians tried to appease the wayward goddess, and not only because they were afraid of her, but because she had a wonderful quality - she could fulfill desires, any, the most unrealizable.
The guests of the Anapa Archaeological Museum have a unique opportunity - to make the most cherished wish in front of the statue of Tyche, because if you are worthy of the grace of the gods and remind yourself more often, everything in your life will be wonderful.
Tyha (Tyche, Tyche, Tyukhe), Greek - the daughter of Ocean and Tefida, the goddess of chance, good luck.
She lived on Olympus, was part of the retinue of Zeus; Of the other gods, she was closest to the god of wealth Plutos, whom she took care of from his birth together with the goddess of peace Eirena. The proverb includes her cornucopia - an accidentally broken off horn of a goat, which fed Zeus with her milk. Zeus himself filled this horn with various gifts, and Tyha distributed them to her favorites. (According to some authors, this horn once adorned the head of the river god Aheloy, and Hercules, who fought with, broke off the horn.)
Initially, Tyha was considered only a companion of other gods; it turned into an independent deity only at the end of the classical era. As the cult of Tycha spread, many Hellenistic cities began to regard her as their patroness. The Roman goddesses and Felicitas (Felitsa), the goddess of happiness, largely merged with the Quiet.
Ancient artists usually depicted Tycho on a ball, with outstretched wings, which was supposed to symbolize her instability, inconstancy. And vice versa, Tiha, the patroness of cities, was depicted as seated, with a crown in the form of city walls with gates. Among her best statues are Tycha of Ostia (with a cornucopia in his left and with a steering oar in his right hand), Tycha of Antioch (a copy of the work of Eutychides of the 3rd century BC), Tycha of Prusa ( 2nd century AD) and "Tycha of Thessalonica" from the triumphal arch of Emperor Galerius (4th century AD).
Who is the god of wealth among the Greeks? He is not the only one. Ancient Greek mythology is striking in its versatility. It combines the morality, ethical principles and culture of many European peoples. Mythology is distinguished by special thinking, the study of the world and the place of man in it. For help in all endeavors, the ancient Greeks turned to powerful deities who guided them on the right path and gave them good luck in everything. Who are the gods of wealth among the Greeks? It is about them that will be discussed in the article.
Attitude towards wealth in ancient Greece
V Ancient Greece were skeptical about wealth: it was believed that making money was much easier than earning good name and glory. V ancient greek mythology there are often cases when a poor man from the people prevailed over a rich aristocracy, which did not have authority and respect among the Greeks. Before Greece became an economically developed state, priority was given to non-material spheres: medicine, philosophy, science and sports.
Later, agriculture, handicrafts and trade began to develop actively. It was then that the ancient Greek gods of wealth, fertility and trade came to the fore in the pantheon: Demeter, Mercury, Hermes and Plutos.
At first, the ancient Greeks grew crops, but with the development of trade, this became an unprofitable occupation, and an enterprising people began to trade in the crops that Greece is rich in - olive oil and grapes. Along with the development of trade, money began to appear.
In parallel, the slave system developed: slaves were the subject of trade, their labor was used in the craft.
The god of wealth among the Greeks is Plutos. With its appearance, such a concept as "money" becomes popular. They were treated with respect and tried to preserve every coin. Each policy made its own money, and trade stretched far beyond Greece's borders. Itinerant colonies acted as mobile intermediaries, traces of which were found in the Black Sea, not far from present-day Sevastopol, Kerch and Feodosia.
With the development of the economy, dealers appeared who changed money among policies. They bet at interest, lending and accepting deposits. The bankers collected huge sums, and they had the opportunity to earn on outbidding.
As mentioned earlier, the first goddess related to enrichment was Demeter.
Demeter
Demeter is one of the most influential and respected goddesses in Greece. She is the goddess of wealth and fertility. Celebrations and honors took place in her honor throughout Greece, especially during the months of planting and harvesting. It is believed that without the assistance and will of Demeter there will be no harvest: the farmers turned to her for help and blessings for crops, and women asked for fertility and the opportunity to bear a child. An interesting feature is that Homer paid very little attention to this goddess: she almost always remained in the shadow of even less powerful gods. Based on this, we can conclude that in the early years other methods of enrichment prevailed in Greece, and agriculture came to the fore much later, displacing livestock breeding. The location of the goddess promised the farmer concomitant weather conditions and a rich harvest.
According to legends, Demeter was the first to plow the land and sow grains in it. The Greeks, who witnessed this, were sure that the grains would deteriorate in the ground, but after a while the harvest sprouted. Demeter taught people to look after crops and grow grain, and later gave them other crops.
Demeter is the daughter of Kronos and Rhea, the only girl in the family. Her brothers are the powerful Hades, Poseidon and Zeus. Demeter had a strange relationship with the brothers: she disliked Poseidon, and Aida did hate him. Demeter had a marriage with Zeus, which gave a daughter to Persephone.
Demeter and Persephone - ancient Greek gods of wealth and fertility
Persephone took over from her mother and became the goddess of fertility and agriculture. Demeter was very fond of her only golden-haired daughter and passed on her wisdom to her. She reciprocated her mother.
Once an incredible grief happened that knocked down Demeter: her daughter was kidnapped. The god of the underworld Hades, brother of Demeter, did it. Zeus himself gave permission for this, having promised his brother his daughter as a wife.
Unsuspecting Persephone was walking with her friends through green meadows, and then her future husband kidnapped her. He hid the girl deep underground, and his grief-stricken mother wandered the lands, looking for her. Demeter did not eat or drink for several months, the productive pastures dried up, and her daughter still did not appear. Zeus told Demeter about the treaty, but she refused to share her beloved daughter with her brother, whom she had hated since childhood.
Zeus turned to Hades with a request to return his mother's daughter, but he agreed with one condition: two-thirds of the year Persephone would spend fertility with her mother, and for one-third of the year she would descend into the underworld, having swallowed a pomegranate seed before that. This is how the ancient Greeks explained the change of seasons and crops.
Demeter and Triptolemus
Triptolemus is also the god of wealth among the ancient Greeks. Once the goddess of fertility decided to give the gift to the son of King Eleusis - Triptolemus. She taught him how to plow the land, cultivate it and gave seeds for sowing. Triptolemus plowed the fertile heavenly lands three times and threw grains of wheat into them.
After some time, the earth brought a rich harvest, which Demeter herself blessed. She gave Triptolemus a handful of grain and a magic chariot that could travel across the sky. She asked her mentor to walk around the world teaching people about agriculture and distributing fertile grains. He followed the instructions of the goddess and set out on a journey.
Wherever the god of wealth (it is described in this way) visited on his chariot, there were fields with a rich harvest. Until he arrived in Scythia, to the king of Lingha. The king decided to take all the grains and glory of Triptolemus for himself, killing him in a dream. Demeter could not allow the death of her assistant and came to his aid, turning Lingha into a lynx. He fled into the forest, and soon left Scythia altogether, and the god of money and wealth among the Greeks, Triptolemus, continued on his way, teaching people agriculture and agriculture.
Plutos
The ancient Greek god of wealth Plutos is the son of Demeter and the titan Iasion. According to myths, the lovers Demeter and Iassion indulged in temptation on the island of Crete and conceived Plutos on a three-plowed field. Seeing a couple in love, Zeus flew into a rage and incinerated Plutos' father with lightning. The boy was raised by the goddesses of peace and chance - Eirena and Tyche.
It is believed that Plutos, the god of wealth, was blind and gifted people arbitrarily, regardless of their appearance or status in society. Gifted by Plutos received unprecedented material benefits. He blinded the god Jupiter, who was afraid that Plutos would be unfair and biased in the distribution of wealth. Therefore, good luck in the material plane can overtake both bad and good people.
In art, the god of wealth is depicted as a baby in his hands. Most often, the baby is held in her arms by either the goddess of fortune or the goddess of peace.
Most often, the name of Plutos is associated with Demeter and Persephone. He accompanies and helps everyone to whom the goddess of fertility is supportive.
The Greek god of wealth Plutus introduced the concept of "goods". People began to take good care of material goods: to save money and increase it. Earlier, the Greeks did not attach much importance to material values, they were not worried about the improvement and the standard of living.
Comedy "Plutos"
The comedy was written and directed by the ancient Greek comedian Aristophanes. In it, the Greek god of wealth Plutos is depicted as a blind old man unable to properly distribute wealth. He gives gifts to dishonest and vile people, because of which he himself loses all his wealth.
On the way, Plutos comes across a resident of Athens, who returns his sight. The God of Wealth sees again, and this helps him to fairly reward people according to their merits. Plutos becomes rich again and regains the respect of the people.
Plutos in The Divine Comedy
Plutos, the god of wealth in Greek mythology, was portrayed in the poem The Divine Comedy, which was written in 1321 by Dante Alighieri. He was the gatekeeper in the fourth circle of hell and had the appearance of a bestial demon. He guarded the circle of hell, in which there were misers, profligates and greedy souls.
Plutocracy
In honor of the god of wealth, one of the political regimes- plutocracy. The term was introduced at the end of the 19th century and characterizes a form of government in which state decisions are made not by the will of the majority (the people), but by a small group of oligarchic clans in the shadows. Such a state is ruled primarily by money, and a legitimately chosen government is completely subordinate to wealthy clans.
Plutos and Pluto: the ancient Greek gods of money, wealth and abundance
At some point in ancient Greek mythology, two deities were identified - Pluto (god of the underworld) and Plutos (god of wealth and abundance). This is explained by the fact that Hades has countless riches stored deep underground. There are also many myths that unite these gods.
According to more ancient myths, Hades is the brother of Plutos' mother, Demeter, therefore he is his uncle. But in later myths it was claimed that this is one deity. This is confirmed by the consonance of their names: Plutos and Pluto.
Cornucopia
It is a symbol of endless riches originating from the myths of Ancient Greece. The horn belongs to the goat Amalfeya, who fed little Zeus with her milk, who was hiding from his father Kronos on the island of Crete.
There is another legend about its origin. Hercules rolled the horn to the river god during the battle. He showed mercy and returned the horn to its owner. He did not remain in debt and gave the world a cornucopia filled with riches.
In art, this symbol is depicted upside down, through a hole in which various fruits erupt: fruits and vegetables, sometimes coins. Most often, the cornucopia is held in the hands of the god of wealth among the Greeks - Plutos. Some sculptures with this symbol depict the goddess of justice - Themis.
In Ancient Greece, coins were minted with a cornucopia on the reverse side. This was supposed to attract new money and help keep his property.
In the Middle Ages, the cornucopia was transformed into the Holy Grail, which is the source eternal life and wealth.
Mercury (Hermes)
Mercury is the god of wealth, trade and the patron saint of thieves. He is depicted wearing a helmet and sandals with wings, a conciliatory staff and a sack filled with gold coins.
The god of wealth from the Greeks, Mercury was borrowed by the Romans from the Greeks after their conquest. In ancient Greece, Mercury was called Hermes. Initially, it was the god of cattle and pastoralism. During Homer's time, he became a mediator between the gods. It was then that he received wings on his sandals and helmet in order to move quickly, completing various tasks. He also had a conciliatory stick of gold, with which he resolved conflicts and disputes.
With development Agriculture he became the patron saint of bread and grain, later, when market relations were actively developing, - the god of trade and the patron saint of merchants. They turned to him for help in outbidding, trade deals and exchanges of goods.
It is believed that it was Hermes, the Greek god of wealth, who gave the Greeks numbers and taught them to count. Before that, people paid by eye, not attaching much importance to the amount of money.
Even later, Hermes became the patron saint of thieves: he was portrayed with a wallet in his hands or with his hands tied next to Apollo - a hint of theft.
When the Romans conquered Greece, they borrowed the god Hermes and renamed him Mercury. For them it was the god of prosperity, enrichment, trade and profit.
Nowadays, the image of Mercury can be found on the emblems of banks, large trading companies and auction exchanges.
King Midas and gold
In ancient Greek mythology, Midas was the king of Phrygia. From childhood, he knew that he would be a rich and influential person: all the signs of fate pointed out to him. Even small ants would bring seeds and put them in his mouth.
Once Silenus, the teacher of Dionysus, fell into the possession of Midas. He got lost in the forest while Dionysus was leading his army through Phrygia. King Midas saw this and poured wine into the streams that passed through the forest. Silenus drank water mixed with wine and immediately became drunk. Unable to get out of the forest, he wandered around for a long time until Midas met him and took him to Dionysus.
Happy Dionysus invited Midas to make any wish. He wished for a "golden touch": so that everything that his hand touches would become golden.
Dionysus obeyed the desire of the king, and he arranged a magnificent celebration, covering the table with various drinks and dishes. But at the table, he realized that he would die of thirst and hunger, because food and drinks in his hands became gold.
The king rushed to Dionysus with a request to deprive him of his gift, and he ordered him to bathe in the Pactol River. Midas lost the ability to turn everything into gold, and the river after that turned golden.
Nowadays, the expression "Midas touch" means the ability to quickly make money "out of thin air" and be successful in all endeavors.
Kairos
Kairos is a revered deity among the ancient Greeks. He was the patron saint of chance - a happy moment that can bring good luck and prosperity if you grab hold of it in time. He is always somewhere close to Chronos - the patron saint of the sequence of time. But unlike Chronos Kratos is very difficult to meet and catch: he appears only for a second and instantly disappears.
The Greeks believed that Kairos could point them to a happy moment, in which good luck would smile upon them, and the gods would be supportive in all endeavors.
God silently and quickly moves among ordinary mortals, to face him face to face is a great rarity and good luck. At this moment, the main thing is not to get confused, grab Kairos by the long forelock and ask fate for everything you want. Missing a chance is a great sin, since it is given only once in a lifetime.
Kairos is portrayed as a young youth with wings on his back and in sandals. He has a long golden curl on his head, by which you can try to grab it. In the hands of Kairos - the scales, which indicates that he is fair and sends good luck to those who work hard and wish for success.
Tyukhe
In ancient Greek mythology, she is the goddess of luck, good fortune and the patroness of chance. Tyukhe is the daughter of the ocean and Tetia (mother of the gods and patroness of all rivers).
Tyukhe became a cult deity when ordinary people lost faith in the gods and in their abilities. The ancient Greeks believed that Tyche accompanies people from birth and throughout their entire life. Many cities considered Tyukhe their patroness, her image was minted on coins, and her statues were decorated at home.
The goddess was depicted wearing a crown and with the main attributes: a wheel (symbolizing the changeability of luck, hence the expression "wheel of fortune") and a cornucopia. Often Tyukhe holds in his arms little Plutos - the god of wealth, whom she raised on the island of Crete in secret from his
Fortune
When the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted the goddess Tyukhe, calling her Fortune. She is the goddess of luck, happiness, prosperity and success.
According to mythology, Fortune threw off her wings, arriving in Rome, and promised to stay there forever. Over time, the cult of Fortune developed rapidly, overshadowing the rest of the gods. She was thanked for the good luck sent and even for the failures and grief. She was also called the Firstborn, Happy, Kind and Merciful. All babies and newborns were dedicated to her, her touch determined further destiny person.
Later, when the moral and ethical foundations began to gradually collapse, the goddess Fortune became the patroness of the hearth, love and family happiness for both women and men.
Fortune adorned and in art was portrayed as a woman with a cornucopia on her shoulder, from which riches - fruits, vegetables and gold - erupt. Sometimes she held a chariot in her hands or stood at the bow of the ship. This symbolized the fickleness of fate.
Many Greek gods of wealth and fortune live in mythology to this day. Is there some truth in this, or is the myth always a myth? Everyone has their own opinion on this matter. In any case, it is interesting and informative.
Age of Astrea
Blind happiness
Hand of Nemesis
Nemesis (Νέμεσις), the Greeks called the goddess of revenge and harsh justice. They portrayed her as a winged woman with a bridle and a sword in her hands, as an omnipresent deity punishing violation of social and moral norms.
Nowadays, the word "Nemesis" is used with the meaning of "just retribution"; and by "the hand of Nemesis" is meant the power and authority of the state court.
There is such popular expression like "four" k "". These are four German words starting with one letter: Kinder, Kuche, Kirhe, Kleider (children, kitchen, church, outfits).
For example, the once German emperor Wilhelm II spoke about the feminist movement and, in general, about the idea of women's equality, saying that a German woman is obliged to know only "children, cuisine, church and clothes."
However, the German emperor probably forgot that the ancients associated the golden age of mankind with a woman. In addition, in antiquity, again, in the hands of women, there was happiness and retribution.
Age of Astrea
The expression "Age of Astrea" can be found today only in old-old books, and that is quite rare. In today's everyday speech, the "golden age" is much more often spoken.
So, who was Astrea after all and why do we use the phrase "golden age"?
In ancient myths, Astrea was the goddess of justice, the daughter of the almighty Zeus, the father of gods and people, and the goddess of justice Themis.
Goddess Astrea was sent by her parents to live on earth in order to help people live honestly and justly. However, unable to bear their crimes, she ascended to heaven. It was then that the "Age of Astrea", the "golden age", that is, the golden time of fabulous happiness, ended. Later, this expression began to characterize a happy streak of life or a time of joy.
As for the goddess Astrea, she has since shone in the sky in the constellation of the Zodiac under the name of Virgo.
Blind happiness
Very often in museums of sculpture and painting you can see an image of a young woman rolling somewhere on a winged wheel, symbolizing the instability and changeability of the world. This is the ancient Greek goddess Tyche (Tihi) - the goddess of chance and luck, abundance and happiness, with whom the Romans identified their goddess Fortuna. She has a cornucopia in her hands, and a bandage closes her eyes: that is why happiness is considered blind.
The ancients believed that a person's luck does not depend on any other reason than chance. Besides, any happiness is short-lived. It is no coincidence that the goddess flies around the world with her eyes closed, pouring her gifts from the cornucopia: you see, they hit you too ... However, the "wheel of Fortune" has turned, and the goddess is already far away ...
Of course, today we understand that our happiness is in our hands, thanks to a positive attitude and thoughts (not to the detriment of others) that turn the wheel of Fortune in your direction ...
