Athena and the MUSES. 0926: Minerva and the Muses. Detail of
painting by Hans Rottenhammer 1564-1626. Germanisches
Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg. "Thus the whole day long till the
setting of the sun the gods feasted, nor did their heart lack
anything of the equal feast, nor of the beauteous lyre, that
Apollo held, nor yet of the Muses, who sang, replying one to the
other with sweet voices." (Homer, Iliad 1.600). "When two poets
produce a hymn, the Muses are wont to work strife between them."
(Maidens of Phthia. Euripides, Andromache 476). "Never will I
cease to link in one the Graces and the Muses, (675) sweetest
union. Never may I live among uneducated boors, but ever may I
find a place among the crowned!" (Theban Elders. Euripides,
Heracles 675). "I will begin with the Muses and Apollo and Zeus.
For it is through the Muses and Apollo that there are singers
upon the earth and players upon the lyre; but kings are from
Zeus. Happy is he whom the Muses love: sweet flows speech from
his lips." (Homeric Hymn to the Mu