Epithets without Historical Precedence I've found concerning Hekate, but whose title seems
appropriate given other epithets and characteristics associated with the Goddess. Please contact me with information that
affirms that Hekate had these titles historically if there is such to be had.
 |
| Hekate Ophiothrix - by Sara Croft |
A
Adamantaea: Unconquerable, Untamable Goddess: The name of
one of the Nymphs that nursed Zeus. The meaning of the name certainly applies
to Hekate.
Agrotera: Huntress: Epithet for Artemis. Likely applied to Hekate through modern conflation.
Aidonaea: Of the Underworld: Certainly applicable. Confusion may arise due to the spelling Adonaea, which technically applies to gardens dedicated to Adonis. Aidonia is also a site in Mycenae that is famous for a large number of tombs.
Amaimaketos: Unconquerable, raging, invincible, uncontrollable: Associated with the Chimera and with the Sea, see Homer: The Poetry of the Past by Andrew Ford (footnote no. 52 on p. 90) and Man, Myth, and Magic: an illustrated encyclopedia of the supernatural, vol. 1 by Richard Cavendish, 1971.
Anassa Eneroi: Queen of the Dead: A title which is perfectly appropriate, though historically was most often applied to Persephone.
Antaia: Angry: Antaia was a Goddess in her own right as well as an epithet applied to Demeter.
Apanchomene: The Hanged One: An epithet associated with Artemis.
Agrotera: Huntress: Epithet for Artemis. Likely applied to Hekate through modern conflation.
Aidonaea: Of the Underworld: Certainly applicable. Confusion may arise due to the spelling Adonaea, which technically applies to gardens dedicated to Adonis. Aidonia is also a site in Mycenae that is famous for a large number of tombs.
Amaimaketos: Unconquerable, raging, invincible, uncontrollable: Associated with the Chimera and with the Sea, see Homer: The Poetry of the Past by Andrew Ford (footnote no. 52 on p. 90) and Man, Myth, and Magic: an illustrated encyclopedia of the supernatural, vol. 1 by Richard Cavendish, 1971.
Anassa Eneroi: Queen of the Dead: A title which is perfectly appropriate, though historically was most often applied to Persephone.
Antaia: Angry: Antaia was a Goddess in her own right as well as an epithet applied to Demeter.
Apanchomene: The Hanged One: An epithet associated with Artemis.
B
Booporos:
Ox-Herder: As Hekate was historically
called Ox-Herder (Bookolos), the title fits.
C
D
E
Epaine: Awe-inspiring, glorious, sublime: Historically applied to Persephone. Yet the
meaning of this epithet certainly applies to Hekate.
Ephoros: Guardian, overseer: Possibly derived from the name Ephesos. No evidence of connection to Hekate, though it seems appropriate.
Epi-tymbidia: sepulchral: Closely associated with Aphrodite.
Ephoros: Guardian, overseer: Possibly derived from the name Ephesos. No evidence of connection to Hekate, though it seems appropriate.
Epi-tymbidia: sepulchral: Closely associated with Aphrodite.
F
G
Genetyllis: Birth-helper:
The Goddess of Childbirth whose name came to be a title of Artemis and
Aphrodite. A class of goddesses of midwifery, the Genetillides. See A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography
and Mythology by William Smith, 1873. Pausanias also highlights the
similarities between Hekate and Genetyllis.
H
Hiera: Holy
One: Applies to the Gods certainly.
I
J
K
Kalliste: Fairest: The name of one of Artemis' nymphs, as
well as an epithet that applied to Herself. See Euripides' Iphigenia.
Kyno: Bitch, female dog: Though I've not found a connection to Hekate, her relationship to canines makes this epithet potentially applicable.
Kyno: Bitch, female dog: Though I've not found a connection to Hekate, her relationship to canines makes this epithet potentially applicable.
L
Limenoskopos: of the Threshold, Watcher of Havens, On the
Harbor, Watching the Harbor: A title that applied to Zeus and Artemis. Fits too
well to Hekate's nature to overlook as applicable.
M
Melainis: Black: An epithet of Aphrodite.
N
Noctiluca: Light of the Night, Night Shiner: A Latin epithet
of Luna.
Nyktipolos: Night-wandering: uncertain source.
Nyktipolos: Night-wandering: uncertain source.
O
Oistrophaneia: Manifester of Madness: This name is of
uncertain origin. Hekate was certainly described as a Goddess who could bring
or cure madness.
Ophiothrix: Serpent-haired: created by me for the purposes of describing Hekate's snake-haired figure which is found in various texts.
Ophiothrix: Serpent-haired: created by me for the purposes of describing Hekate's snake-haired figure which is found in various texts.
P
Pasiphaessa: Wide-Shining: An epithet of Aphrodite.
Polyboteira: Generous Giver of Nourishment: I've yet to find evidence of this specific epithet, though Kerenyi describes Hekate as Nourishing.
Potnia Theron: Mistress of Animals, Lady of Wild Beasts: a title first found in Minoan society, and applied to various Goddesses. Rabinowitz in his book on Hekate hints at scholarly debate over the application of this epithet to Hekate.
Prokathegetis: She who goes down before: Kathegetis means teacher or guide. Hekate certainly fits.
Prytania: misunderstood to translate as "Invincible Queen of the Dead" but it is more likely a connection to the Council Chamber, the Prytania.: See The Symbolical Language of Ancient Art and Mythology: An Inquiry by Richard Payne Knight, p. 26 for a discussion of the Prytania. The modern (mis)understanding as Invincible Queen of the Dead fits well.
Purphoros: Fire-bearer: Applied to a wide range of deities, though as of yet I haven't found a direct reference to Hekate Purphoros. Yet, the name fits suitably with Hekate Dadophoros.
Polyboteira: Generous Giver of Nourishment: I've yet to find evidence of this specific epithet, though Kerenyi describes Hekate as Nourishing.
Potnia Theron: Mistress of Animals, Lady of Wild Beasts: a title first found in Minoan society, and applied to various Goddesses. Rabinowitz in his book on Hekate hints at scholarly debate over the application of this epithet to Hekate.
Prokathegetis: She who goes down before: Kathegetis means teacher or guide. Hekate certainly fits.
Prytania: misunderstood to translate as "Invincible Queen of the Dead" but it is more likely a connection to the Council Chamber, the Prytania.: See The Symbolical Language of Ancient Art and Mythology: An Inquiry by Richard Payne Knight, p. 26 for a discussion of the Prytania. The modern (mis)understanding as Invincible Queen of the Dead fits well.
Purphoros: Fire-bearer: Applied to a wide range of deities, though as of yet I haven't found a direct reference to Hekate Purphoros. Yet, the name fits suitably with Hekate Dadophoros.
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
I readily admit that my research is in the early stages, and will happily accept the opportunity to improve it. Already Part 1 has had several additions! :) Florian Schlie has been an immense help, and Georgi Michev has pointed me in new directions. All my gratitude.
I readily admit that my research is in the early stages, and will happily accept the opportunity to improve it. Already Part 1 has had several additions! :) Florian Schlie has been an immense help, and Georgi Michev has pointed me in new directions. All my gratitude.
