Hecate · Atlas · Falsafa

in the texts

On the Nature of the GodsHellenistic · Latin

Goddess, daughter of Asteria, whose shrines and altars in Greece are noted by Cotta

But how can you, if you think Latona a goddess, not think Hecate one, who is the daughter of Asteria, the sister of Latona?

book 3 ¶

Against CononClassical · Greek

A goddess whose offerings are allegedly consumed by Conon's circle.

and that these men used to devour the food set out for Hecatê and to gather up on each occasion for their dinner with one another the testicles of the pigs which are offered for purification when the assembly convenes, and that they thought less of swearing and perjuring themselves than of anything else in the world.

against conon ¶

OrationsImperial · Greek

Goddess associated with purification rites and phantoms in the comparison drawn about moral instruction.

or as some are wont to do who deal in rites and purifications, propitiating the wrath of Hecate and declaring they will make a man rid of it, and then, I think, expounding and exhibiting many varied phantoms before the purifications, which they say the goddess sends in her anger.

oration 4 ¶

IonClassical · Greek

Chthonic goddess invoked by the Chorus to guide the cup of poison to its mark against Ion.

Daughter of Demeter, goddess of highways, queen as thou art of haunting powers of darkness, oh!

ion ¶

MedeaClassical · Greek

Goddess of magic and the underworld, invoked by Medea as patroness of her plotted vengeance.

By that dread queen whom I revere before all others and have chosen to share my task, by Hecate who dwells within my inmost chamber, not one of them shall wound my heart and rue it not.

medea ¶

PhoenissaeClassical · Greek

Goddess invoked by Antigone, daughter of Leto, as she first glimpses the massed Argive army.

O Lady Hecate, child of Leto!

phoenissae ¶

The Trojan WomenClassical · Greek

Goddess invoked by Cassandra alongside Hymen as she performs her mock-bridal torch ritual.

Since you, my mother, are busied with tears and lamentations in your mourning for my father’s death and for our country dear, I at my own nuptials am making this torch to blaze and show its light, giving to you, O Hymen, giving, O Hecate, a light, at the maiden’s wedding, as the custom is.

the trojan women ¶

TheogonyClassical · Greek

Daughter of Asteria and Perses, honored by Zeus above all with a share of earth, sea, and starry heaven, invoked by men for favor in sacrifice, battle, contests, seafaring, herding, and the rearing of the young.

So from the beginning she is a nurse of the young, and these are her honors.

theogony ¶

And she conceived and bore Hecate whom Zeus the son of Cronos honored above all.

theogony ¶

So, then, albeit her mother's only child, she is honored amongst all the deathless gods.

theogony ¶

Hymn 2 to DemeterClassical · Greek

Hecate is the goddess who hears Persephone's cry, helps Demeter seek information, and becomes Persephone's companion.

and from that time the lady Hecate was minister and companion to Persephone.

hymn 2 to demeter ¶

Then bright-coiffed Hecate came near to them, and often did she embrace the daughter of holy Demeter:

hymn 2 to demeter ¶

But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hecate, with a torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her news:

hymn 2 to demeter ¶

CharactersHellenistic · Greek

Goddess associated with crossroads and apparitions, invoked by the superstitious man as the cause of a haunting requiring purification.

He is good at frequently purifying his house, saying that an apparition of Hecate has been brought upon it.

characters ¶