Nemesis (deity)

Symbols: rein, sword, balance, lash

Culture: Greco-Roman

Mother: Nyx

Father: Erebus

Siblings: Hypnos, Thanatos, Geras, Eris, Charon

Children: Helen and the Telkhines (Telchines)

Nemesis was a minor Greek goddess who represented balance and justice but also vengeance. Nemesis’s name means "she who distributes or deals out" or "dispenser of dues." According to Greek mythology she initially represented two different, abstract concepts but later was believed to be the daughter of Nyx and Erebus (Night and Darkness). Nemesis rewarded those who were humble and punished those who committed crimes and were morally wrong and indignant. In essence, peoples’ actions determined their fate, and through Nemesis a balance could be achieved between good and bad. This concept was supported highly by ancient Greeks, who believed that balance in life was important and they should strive to achieve it.

In ancient Greek stories, such as those of Narkissos and Nikaia, Nemesis punishes those who inflict harm. She also deals with the subject of love. In art, Nemesis is portrayed as a beautiful woman who delivers rewards and a winged goddess with a sword or a scourge and riding a chariot, to avenge evil and deliver punishment. Nemesis was also called Adrastia or Rhamnusia because she was worshipped at Rhamnus.

In Roman mythology, Nemesis was called Invidia, which means "jealousy." The Romans erected a statue with her image on it at the Capitol. They also honored her with amphitheaters.

In Mythology

Nemesis provided the ancient Greeks with a balance between good and evil. She delivered rewards for good actions and punishments for actions that caused misfortune or others harm. Because the ancient Greek world had so many evildoers and sinners, the role of Nemesis changed to one of avenger.

The offspring of Nemesis has been debated. According to Greek mythology, when Zeus approached her to be intimate, she escaped by changing into different shapes and eventually became a goose. Zeus turned into a swan. They supposedly mated in Rhamnus, and as a result, produced Helen, who was a cause of the Trojan War. However, some Greeks disagreed with this story and claimed that Helen was the daughter of Leda. She was also the mother of the Telchines, who were fathered by Tartaros. The Telchines were several demon-like sea creatures.

Nemesis was worshipped, as evidenced through the erection of her statue at Rhamnus. This particular statue represents the Athenian victory against the Persian army. The Athenians believed that the Persians, who arrogantly believed that they could quash their enemy, had received a visit from Nemesis, thus resulting in their defeat.

In another myth, Nemesis punished Narcissus by luring him to a pool where he saw his own reflection. Narcissus had been out hunting with the nymph Echo, who was in love with Narcissus, following behind him. Narcissus did not know that Echo was following him but he heard a noise and asked who was there. Echo only repeated what Narcissus said (because she was under a spell). When Narcissus suggested that whomever was following should stop and meet him, Echo was delighted. She could not wait to show her love for him. But when they met and Echo embraced Narcissus, he left swiftly. Echo was heartbroken. She cried so hard that she no longer had a voice. Nemesis went to Narcissus to seek revenge. Narcissus stopped to admire himself through his reflection in the pool. Some accounts assert that he turned into a flower, called narcissus. Others believed that he took his own life after his long admiration of his beauty by the pool.

Origins and Cults

The origin of Nemesis can be traced to early literary references but is not agreed upon by scholars. References to the term nemesis were used by Homer. There is not a connection to a goddess in this sense but more to the concept of blame. The concept is also used sparingly by other ancient Greek writers as a characteristic or attribute of both gods and humans. The appearance of the goddess Nemesis has been found in literature by Greek poet Hesiod. In this instance, she is noted to be the daughter of Nyx. In a work by Stasinus or Hegesias, Cypria, the story of Nemesis trying to escape from Zeus’s pursuit and the subsequent conception of Helen is confirmed.

Scholars do not agree on the nature of Nemesis. Some say that she personified anger and retribution in response to something that is wrongfully done, while others believe that she was a real and divine figure who had the power to bring life or death.

The cult of Nemesis was located at Rhamnus in Attica and Smyrna. Some scholars believe that one cult developed the other or vice versa. A statue was erected in Rhamnus in her honor and is the only sanctuary ever to have been dedicated to the goddess. The sanctuary was destroyed under Byzantine emperor Arcadius in 399 BCE but the statue of the goddess and Aristonoe, her priestess, survived and are some of the best-preserved images of women in ancient Greek art.

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