Women, Weird and Wonderful: Dike, the Goddess that Quit

Social Justice wasn’t of particular concern to the ancient Greeks, despite the fact that Zeus appointed his own daughters to encourage it. The Horai (“Seasons”), were his offspring with his second wife Themis, titan-goddess of divine order. They kept the hours of the day in motion, and the seasons changing. They also tried to keep mankind on the straight and narrow, an ungrateful task. They come in different shapes and sizes, sometimes four, sometimes nine, but mostly three. Their names also vary, but commonly named are Eirene (or Pax), goddess of peace, Eunomia, goddess of lawful conduct and Dike (or Iustitia), goddess of justice. The latter is the best known and her blindfolded image, holding the sword and scales of justice, can still be found in most courthouses. Which is ironic, because Dike actually resigned. She couldn’t cope with the indifference of mankind, and left her job. (Her scales are still out there, as the constellation Libra.) None of the Olympians blamed her for her move, wich says a lot, doesn’t it?

Justitia, Raffaelo Santi, Sala di Constantino, The Vatican, Italy

Lady Justice, New York County Courthouse, USA