Clio: Greek Muse of History

The Story of Clio

Clio was the Muse of history, one of the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the Titan goddess of memory. Her name comes from a Greek word meaning to make famous or to celebrate. It suited a Muse who kept the deeds of heroes and nations alive in memory.

In one story, Clio mocked Aphrodite for falling in love with the mortal Adonis. In revenge, Aphrodite made Clio fall in love with King Pierus of Macedonia, and in some accounts she became the mother of the beautiful youth Hyacinthus. Other tellings give Hyacinthus a different mother, so this story is not certain.

Clio was usually shown with a scroll or a stack of books, and sometimes with a trumpet to proclaim fame. She was honored with her sisters wherever the Muses were worshipped. Historians and writers have called on her for centuries, and many awards and societies devoted to history still bear her name.