Aglaea- Greek GodDeity
Also known as: Ἀγλαΐα, Charis, and Aglaia
Domains
Description
Youngest of the three Charites, daughters of Zeus. In the Theogony, Hesiod names her as the wife of Hephaestus. Homer calls her Charis and gives her one scene: she opens the door of the forge when Thetis comes to beg armor for her son.
Mythology & Lore
At the Door of the Forge
Homer does not call her Aglaea. In the Iliad she is Charis, wife of Hephaestus, and she appears when Thetis arrives at the god's workshop on Olympus to ask him to forge new armor for Achilles. Charis meets Thetis at the threshold, takes her by the hand, leads her inside, and seats her on a silver-studded chair. She calls for Hephaestus, who comes limping from his bellows (Iliad 18.382-393).
The scene is brief. Charis speaks a few lines of welcome, offers her guest a seat, and steps aside. What follows is the forging of the shield of Achilles.
Hesiod names her differently. In the Theogony (945-946), the youngest of the Charites is Aglaea, and she is Hephaestus's wife. Both poets give the smith god a wife from among the Graces. Homer calls her Charis. Hesiod calls her Aglaea. They stand in the same doorway.
Relationships
- Family
- Hephaestus· Spouse⚠ Disputed