The Story of Themis
Themis was one of the twelve Titans, a daughter of Uranus and Gaia. She was the goddess of divine law, order and custom, the right way things should be. Unlike many of her brothers, she sided with Zeus, and she became one of his most trusted advisers.
Before Apollo, the oracle at Delphi belonged to the earth goddess Gaia, and in some tellings Themis received it from her mother. She later handed it to her sister Phoebe, who gave it to Apollo as a birthday gift. Even in Apollo's time, Themis was honored as a voice of divine order at Delphi.
Themis became the second wife of Zeus after Metis. With him she had the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons and of good order, called Eunomia, Dike and Eirene, meaning order, justice and peace. Hesiod also names her as a mother of the Fates, though in other tellings they are daughters of Nyx.
Her wise counsel appears in many myths. After a great flood destroyed humanity, the survivors Deucalion and Pyrrha prayed at her shrine, and Themis told them to throw the bones of their mother over their shoulders. They realized she meant the stones of Mother Earth, and the stones they threw became new men and women.
Themis also warned the gods that the sea nymph Thetis would bear a son greater than his father, so Thetis was married to the mortal Peleus, and their son was Achilles. The Greeks pictured Themis holding a set of scales. Her image grew into the familiar figure of Lady Justice, still seen on courthouses around the world.
Famous Myths About Themis
The Oracle at Delphi
Before Apollo, the oracle at Delphi belonged to Themis, who inherited it from her mother Gaia. She passed it on to her sister Phoebe, who gave it to Apollo as a birthday gift.
Deucalion and Pyrrha
After a great flood destroyed humanity, the only survivors, Deucalion and Pyrrha, asked Themis how to repopulate the world. She told them to throw the bones of their mother over their shoulders, and they realized she meant stones, which became new men and women.
The Marriage of Thetis
Zeus and Poseidon both desired the sea nymph Thetis. Themis warned that Thetis's son was destined to be greater than his father, so the gods married her to the mortal Peleus instead, and their son was Achilles.
Themis's Family Tree
Husband of Themis
Children of Themis
Frequently Asked Questions About Themis
Who is Themis in Greek mythology?
Themis is the Titan goddess of divine law, order, justice and custom, and a trusted adviser to Zeus.
Who are Themis's parents?
Themis is one of the twelve Titan children of Uranus and Gaia.
Who are Themis's children?
With Zeus, Themis became the mother of the Horae, goddesses of order and the seasons. Hesiod also names her as the mother of the Fates.
Is Lady Justice based on Themis?
Yes. The familiar figure of Lady Justice holding scales and a sword grew from images of Themis and the Roman goddess Justitia, while the blindfold was added much later.
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