In Greek mythology
, the Moirae
(also called the Three Fates
) were the personifications of destiny (Roman
equivalent: Parcae) . They controlled the fate of every mortal and immortal from birth to death (and beyond
). Even the gods feared the Moirae. They were the daughters of Zeus
with either Ananke
or, more frequently, Themis
, or Nyx
The three Moirae were Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos (Nona ("ninth"), Decima, Morta in Roman mythology). They controlled the metaphorical thread of life for every person.
- Clotho ("spinner") spun the string of life with her distaff. Her Roman equivalent was Nona, who was originally a goddess called upon in the ninth month of pregnancy.
- Lachesis ("alotter" or drawer of lots) measured the thread of life, thereby determining how long people, animals and deities existed. Her Roman equivalent was Decima.
- Atropos ("inflexible") was the cutter of the string of life. She chose the manner of a person's death. When she cut string with "her abhorred shears", someone on earth died. Her Roman equivalent was Morta.
The Moirae were usually described as cold and unfeeling, and depicted as old crones or hags.
After Admetus' thread was cut, Apollo intervened with the Moirae, who agreed to let Admetus live if someone else took his place. His wife, Alcestis agreed and died but was rescued from the underworld by Heracles.
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