The Muses of Greek Mythology

The Muses were brought to life to make the world forget evil and relieve sorrows and to praise the gods, and their victory over their ancestors, the Titans. Apollo was the main teacher of the Muses.  

They were usually accompanying him and the  and loved singing and dancing while Apollo was playing the lyre.

The home of the Muses was Mount Helicon in Central Greece, a mountain that was sacred to the Greek god Apollo, the Greek god of the music, the light and the sun. Their sanctuary was in Pieria.

The nine muses were the childfren of Zeus and his aunt, Titaness Mnemosyne, Memory. The specific functions of individual goddesses,that they are usually associated with are: Clio – History; Euterpe - Music and lyric poetry; Thalia – Comedy; Melpomene – Tragedy; Terpsichore – Dance; Erato - Love poetry and marriage songs; Polyhymnia - Sacred song and oratory; Urania – Astronomy and Calliope - Epic or heroic poetry.

In ancient times, all learning was under the benefaction of the Muses, and they were the inspirers of poetry, music, and art. It was common for schools to have a shrine to the Muses, and any place dedicated to them was known as a mouseion, the translation of our word museum.

The famous Museum at Alexandria, founded by Ptolemy I, was a temple of learning dedicated to them. As a custom, before poets or storytellers would recite their work, they first appealled for the inspiration and protection of the Muses.