In Greek mythology, Eucleia or Eukleia ( Ancient Greek: Ευκλεια) was the female personification of glory and good repute.

Family

Along with her sisters, Eupheme,

Philophrosyne Philophrosyne was the ancient Greek female spirit of welcome, friendliness, and kindness. Her sisters were Euthenia, Eupheme, and Eucleia. Along with her sisters, she was regarded as a member of the younger Charites. According to the Orphic frag ...

and

Euthenia Euthenia (; , ''Eustheneia'') was the ancient Greek female spirit of prosperity. Her opposite was Penia and her sisters entailed Eucleia, Philophrosyne, and Eupheme. Along with her siblings, she was regarded as a member of the younger Charites. Acc ...

, Eucleia was likely regarded as a member of the younger Charites. According to Plutarch, Eucleia may have also been used as an epithet of Artemis. Plutarch, ''Aristides''
20.5-6
/ref> According to an Orphic rhapsody fragment, Eucleia's parents were Hephaestus and Aglaea. Alternatively, Plutarch stated that Eucleia was sometimes considered a separate goddess and the daughter of Heracles and Myrto, and as she died a virgin, she came to be venerated as a goddess.

Mythology

In Greek vase paintings, particularly from 5th century Athens, Eucleia is frequently shown among the attendants of Aphrodite, where she represents the good repute of a chaste bride or is performing stereotypically feminine tasks. She was also referred by ancient Greek author Bacchylides as "garland-loving".

Cult

Eucleia was worshipped in

Locris Locris (; el, label=Modern Greek, Λοκρίδα, Lokrída; grc, Λοκρίς, Lokrís) was a region of ancient Greece, the homeland of the Locrians, made up of three distinct districts. Locrian tribe The city of Locri in Calabria (Italy), a ...

and Boeotia. Plutarch states that all cities in these areas had an image and altar of her, and this is where brides and grooms would perform a sacrifice. At Thebes, her statue was created by

Skopas Scopas ( grc-gre, Σκόπας; born in Paros, fl. 4th century BCE) was an ancient Greek sculptor and architect, most famous for his statue of Meleager, the copper statue of Aphrodite, and the head of goddess Hygieia, daughter of Asclepius. Ear ...

. In Athens, a temple was dedicated to Artemis-Eucleia in honor of those who fought in the Battle of Marathon, which is referenced by Greek author Plutarch and Roman geographer Pausanias. It is likely that Eucleia was worshipped together with

Eunomia In Greek mythology, Eunomia ( grc, Εὐνομία) was a minor goddess of law and legislation (her name can be translated as "good order", "governance according to good laws"), as well as the spring-time goddess of green pastures (''eû'' means ...

at Athens, as they were served by one priest. In Paros and

Epiros sq, Epiri rup, Epiru , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Historical region , image_map = Epirus antiquus tabula.jpg , map_alt = , map_caption = Map of ancient Epirus by Heinri ...

, military generals ( stratêgoi) offered dedications to Eucleia along with Aphrodite, Zeus (Aphrodisios), Hermes, and Artemis. There was a sanctuary dedicated to Eucleia at Aigai (Aegae), the ancient capital of

Macedonia Macedonia most commonly refers to: * North Macedonia, a country in southeastern Europe, known until 2019 as the Republic of Macedonia * Macedonia (ancient kingdom), a kingdom in Greek antiquity * Macedonia (Greece), a traditional geographic reg ...

. The sanctuary consisted of a 4th century

Doric Doric may refer to: * Doric, of or relating to the Dorians of ancient Greece ** Doric Greek, the dialects of the Dorians * Doric order, a style of ancient Greek architecture * Doric mode, a synonym of Dorian mode * Doric dialect (Scotland) * Doric ...

temple, a small

Hellenistic In Classical antiquity, the Hellenistic period covers the time in Mediterranean history after Classical Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the emergence of the Roman Empire, as signified by the Battle of Actium in ...

era temple, and two

stoa A stoa (; plural, stoas,"stoa", ''Oxford English Dictionary'', 2nd Ed., 1989 stoai, or stoae ), in ancient Greek architecture, is a covered walkway or portico, commonly for public use. Early stoas were open at the entrance with columns, usually ...

s. At least two statute bases were votive offerings by Eurydice, paternal grandmother of Alexander the Great; it has been suggested that these offerings were made to commemorate Philip II's victory at Chaeronea in 338 B.C.E. It is possible that there was a statue of Eucliea in the sanctuary. In the area surround the sanctuary, at least three burials of significant people, who were crowned with golden oak leaf wreathes, have been discovered.

Notes

References

* Borza, Eugene, In the Shadow of Olympus: The Emergence of Macedon, Princeton University Press, 1992. . * Smith, William; '' Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', London (1873)
"Eucleia"
{{Authority control Greek goddesses Personifications in Greek mythology Children of Hephaestus Children of Heracles Heracleidae Epithets of Artemis Religion in ancient Macedonia Religion in ancient Boeotia