
Here, cycles can be observed in the coloration and resistance of different strata. The nature of sediments can vary in a cyclic fashion, and these cycles can be displayed in the sedimentary record.

It also can be seen in the observable universe. It could be said that Terpsichore’s influence goes beyond just the human arts. If these regular, ordered patterns of movement in the universe could be thought of as a sort of natural dance, then these natural movements could be thought of as terpsichorean in a sense. Additionally, the planets go through cycles called Milankovitch cycles in which their orbits around the sun adjust in very regular, periodic, or rhythmic, ways.įurthermore, electromagnetic and mechanical oscillations, such as a pendulum in a clock, are also very common in nature. The planets orbit the sun and the sun, with other stars, orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Source: Glenn Marsch/ CC BY NC ND 2.0 A Terpsichorean Universe and the Cosmic DanceĪn example of Terpsichore being referenced outside of dance is in the realm of physics. Terpsichore, Muse of Choral Song and Dance. Terpsichore is also invoked in subjects beyond dance that have a sort of ordered movement or rhythm. Today, Terpsichore is used often as a metaphor for, or personification of, dance. (In later mythology, she became the mother of several sirens including Parthenope by the river god Achelous.) Because of this, they appear to have been more than mere abstract entities to the ancient Greeks. Terpsichore, for example, was also a mother and a wife. Although the Muses were closely associated with their artistic spheres, they also had an existence beyond it. There is a discussion within classical studies as to whether the Muses were personifications. ‘ Terpsichore mit Lorbeerkranz und Lyra’ (Terpsichore with laurel wreath and lyre) (1759) by Johann Heinrich Tischbein. These all together were considered to nourish the soul. Music also covered dance and poetry in addition to instrumental music and singing. Music, however, was broader than just what is thought of as music today. In ancient Greece, music was considered the mark of a civilized man. The importance of Terpsichore and the other muses in Greek thought illustrates the importance of music in Greek culture. This is reflected in the adjective terpsichorean which refers to things related to dance. She is still associated with dance today. In art and sculpture, Terpsichore is depicted as being seated with a lyre. ( Public Domain ) Terpsichore the Goddess of Dance and Rhythm ‘The Muse Terpsichore’ (1450-1460) by Cosimo Tura. Dance was considered as an equally important art as poetry and songs, possibly because it could be used as a physical demonstration of past stories. It is appropriate that their mother was the goddess of memory. The sirens were chthonic and sang to trap men and destroy them.Īll the arts were believed to come from the muses including skills such as writing poems, interpreting the stars, and singing. The main difference is that the Muses were associated with Olympus and sang to enrich men’s souls. Both were female figures known for being singers of beautiful songs. In later mythology, the Muses were compared to the sirens.

They dwelt in the land of Pieria in the foothills of Mount Olympus, which was watered by springs from the mountain.

In mythological terms, the Muses are descended from Zeus by Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. ‘ Calliope, Urania and Terpsichore’ (17th Century) by Pierre Mignard. It was also during the Classical Age that the Muses were each assigned a literary sphere: Calliope the Muse of epic poetry, Clio the Muse of history, Euterpe the Muse of lyric poetry, Erato the Muse of love poetry, Melpomene the Muse of tragedy, Polyhymnia the Muse of hymns, Thalia the Muse of comedy, Urania the Muse of astronomy, and Terpsichore the Muse of dance and choral music. During the Classical Age, the number of Muses increased to nine. There were also originally only three Muses. In Archaic Greece, the Muses were simply goddesses associated with song and dance. In addition to dance, she has more recently been invoked as a metaphor for rhythm and ordered movement in the universe, such as mechanical oscillations. The Muse ruling dance and choral music was Terpsichore. In ancient Greece, nine goddesses were believed to rule over all the major literary and artistic spheres.
