The Story of Apate
Apate was the goddess of deceit, fraud and trickery. Hesiod names her as one of the children of Nyx, the goddess of night, which makes her a sister of Hypnos, Thanatos, Nemesis and Eris. Her name means deception in Greek.
Apate plays only a small part in the myths. In a late epic by the poet Nonnus, Hera visits her to borrow her power of trickery as part of her plot against Semele, the mortal mother of Dionysus. In later tradition she was also counted among the evil spirits that flew out of Pandora's jar to spread through the world of mortals.
The Greeks saw Apate as one of the dark forces that came from Night, along with old age, strife and death. She had no known worship of her own, since deceit was not something people wished to invite. The Romans called her Fraus, and her name lives on in the idea of fraud.
Apate's Family Tree
Parents of Apate
Partners of Apate
Children of Apate
Frequently Asked Questions About Apate
Who is Apate in Greek mythology?
Apate is the goddess of deceit, fraud and trickery, and a daughter of Nyx.
Who are Apate's siblings?
As a child of Nyx, Apate is a sister of Hypnos, Thanatos, Nemesis and Eris, among others.
What is Apate's Roman name?
The Romans called Apate Fraus.
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