Muse of Astronomy

Abstract

The ancient Greek Muses were deities credited with divine inspiration of poets and others, enabling those mortals to create great works in their field. This inspiration, sometimes temporary and sometimes permanent, could either grant an individual a divine level of talent, or give access to knowledge that was otherwise unknowable, all in order to enhance the mortal’s craft. Divinely inspired creation was generally perceived as a collaborative process, involving contribution by both the mortal (accumulating skill and knowledge over their lifetime) and the Muse (granting divine inspiration). With 9 Muses, each overseeing a different realm, it may seem surprising that astronomy (manifested as the goddess Urania) is included alongside arts such as epic poetry, tragic theater and choral music. However, upon further examination of both primary and secondary sources, the boundary between art and science that exists in the present day was not present in ancient Greek society. Instead, realms of knowledge as diverse as astronomy, history, and dance were thought to involve both reason and creativity, represented by mortal technical skill and divine inspiration, respectively. Only with both elements, believed the ancient Greeks, could a mortal produce something truly great.