Representations Hecate

statuette of triple-bodied hekate. pen, ink , light brown , grey wash.



triple hecate

hecate represented three-formed. has been speculated being connected appearance of full moon, half moon, , new moon. virgin goddess, remained unmarried , had no regular consort, though traditions named mother of scylla.

the earliest greek depictions of hecate not three-formed. farnell states: evidence of monuments character , significance of hecate full of express manifold , mystic nature. earliest known monument small terracotta found in athens, dedication hecate, in writing of style of 6th century. goddess seated on throne chaplet bound round head; altogether without attributes , character, , main historical value of work, evidently of quite general type , gets special reference , name merely inscription, proves single shape earlier form, , recognition @ athens earlier persian invasion.

triple hecate , charites, attic, 3rd century bce (glyptothek, munich)

the 2nd-century travel writer pausanias stated hecate first depicted in triplicate sculptor alkamenes in greek classical period of late 5th century bce placed before temple of wingless nike in athens. greek anthropomorphic conventions of art resisted representing 3 faces: votive sculpture attica of 3rd century bce (illustration, left), shows 3 single images against column; round column of hecate dance charites. classical portrayals show triplicate goddess holding torch, key, serpents, daggers , numerous other items. depictions of both single form hekate , triple formed, occasional 4 headed descriptions continued throughout history.

in egyptian-inspired greek esoteric writings connected hermes trismegistus, , in magical papyri of late antiquity described having 3 heads: 1 dog, 1 serpent, , 1 horse. in other representations animal heads include of cow , boar. hecate s triplicity elsewhere expressed in more hellenic fashion in vast frieze of great pergamon altar, in berlin, wherein shown 3 bodies, taking part in battle titans. in argolid, near shrine of dioscuri, pausanias saw temple of hecate opposite sanctuary of eileithyia; reported image work of scopas, stating further, 1 of stone, while bronze images opposite, of hecate, made respectively polycleitus , brother naucydes, son of mothon. (description of greece 2.22.7)

in argonautica, 3rd-century bce alexandrian epic based on material, jason placates hecate in ritual prescribed medea, priestess: bathed @ midnight in stream of flowing water, , dressed in dark robes, jason dig round pit , on cut throat of ewe, sacrificing , burning whole on pyre next pit holocaust. told sweeten offering libation of honey, retreat site without looking back, if hears sound of footsteps or barking dogs. these elements betoken rites owed chthonic deity.

a 4th-century bce marble relief crannon in thessaly dedicated race-horse owner.

it shows hecate, hound beside her, placing wreath on head of mare. commonly attended dog or dogs, , common form of offering leave meat @ crossroads. images of attended dog found @ times when shown in role mother goddess child, , when depicted alongside god hermes , goddess kybele in reliefs.