Thalia

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Thalia can refer to four distinct entities in Greek mythology, two of whom were daughters of Zeus, and a third of whom bore him sons. The name Thalia, or Thaleia, (pronunciation /θə'laɪə/) is spelled θαλεια in Greek and derives from θάλλεω, “blooming”.

The Muse

Thalia was a rustic goddess, the Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry. In this context, her name means “flourishing,” because the praises in her songs flourish through time. Thalia was the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the eighth-born of the nine Muses. Her children by Apollo were the Corybantes. In art, Thalia was portrayed holding a comic mask, a shepherd’s staff, or a wreath of ivy.

Member of the Three Graces

The Grace Thalia was the goddess of banquets and other festivities. In this context, her name means "rich" or "abundant". Thalia’s father was Zeus; her mother was either Eurynome or Eunomia. Thalia was described as fair-cheeked and beautiful. She is the goddest of Bountifulness and bloom.

Other mythological figures

• Thalia, daughter of Hephaestus’s daughters, and the nymph of Mount Etna in Sicily. After becoming impregnated by Zeus, she hid beneath the earth due to her fear of Hera. She bore twin sons, the Palici.
• Thalia or Thaleia, one of the Nereids.

Trivia

• Thalia is a character in the best-selling play written by playright, Rory Cox; Musings of A Muse, first performed at the Abbey Hill Theatre in Chippenham, UK.
• In Caroline Lawrence's series of books, the Roman Mysteries, Thalia is one of nine sisters; all representing, and named after, the nine muses, that the four friends encounter in their adventures.
• Thalia is a primary character in the musical Aesop's Foibles, written by Tom French and Carole Lehan
• In the Broadway Musical, Xanadu, Thalia is played by Curtis Holbrook
• Thalia is the muse of humor

References

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Last updated on Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 12:49:41 PDT (GMT -0700)
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