The Moirai and Erinyes of Greek Mythology

Video

Kelly Macquire
by
published on 23 January 2023

The Moirai and the Erinyes are the Fates and the Furies of Greek mythology. The Moirai, which in Greek means parts or allotted portions, were the three goddesses of fate and destiny. Clotho, the spinner, Lachesis the disposer of lots, and Atropos, she who cannot be turned are the three goddesses responsible for, and the personification of, the destiny of the individual from birth to death. Each of the three Moirai, or Fates, had a specific job: when a person was born, Clotho would begin spinning the thread of life, Lachesis had the job of measuring that thread and, upon the mortal's death, Atropos would cut it.

Like the Moirai, the Erinyes encouraged a belief in an ordered universe that operated according to divine law. When someone disrupted the natural order of things, the Furies were let loose. One of their responsibilities was carrying out curses with punishments including disease and madness. They were also responsible for punishing those who swore false oaths, and the dark nature of their responsibilities led them to be associated with Hades and the Underworld.

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— CHAPTERS —
0:00​ Introduction
1:02 Who are the Moirai / Fates?
3:53 WHo are the Erinyes / Furies?
7:51 Outro

— WANT TO KNOW MORE? —
Fates https://www.worldhistory.org/Fates/
Furies https://www.worldhistory.org/Furies/
The Eumenides https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Eumenides/
Libation Bearers https://www.worldhistory.org/Libation_Bearers/
Greek Mythology https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/
Hades https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/

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— ATTRIBUTIONS —
You can find all attribution and credits for images, animations, graphics and music here - https://worldhistory.typehut.com/the-moirai-and-erinyes-of-greek-mythology-images-and-attributions-12958

The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
https://www.ancientlyre.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A

World History Encyclopedia
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#erinyes #moirair #greekmythology #fatesandfuries

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About the Author

Kelly Macquire
Kelly is a graduate from Monash University who has completed her BA (Honours) in Ancient History and Archaeology, focussing on iconography and status in Pylos burials. She has a passion for mythology and the Aegean Bronze Age.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Macquire, K. (2023, January 23). The Moirai and Erinyes of Greek Mythology. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2893/the-moirai-and-erinyes-of-greek-mythology/

Chicago Style

Macquire, Kelly. "The Moirai and Erinyes of Greek Mythology." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 23, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2893/the-moirai-and-erinyes-of-greek-mythology/.

MLA Style

Macquire, Kelly. "The Moirai and Erinyes of Greek Mythology." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 23 Jan 2023. Web. 26 Apr 2024.

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