Nemesis is a character in ancient Greek mythology. She is a symbol of just retribution. One of her attributes is the scales, which personify the balance between a person's actions and the rewards for them.
Nemesis - the patroness of justice
The ancient Greek winged goddess Nemesis (Nemesis) is the personification of justice, legality, restoration of violated rights, punishing for breaking the law. She is a symbol of revenge for violations of the established order. The word "nemesis" comes from the ancient Greek "nemo", which means "justly indignant."
It is believed that this goddess will not only punish, but also judge by the right of the disputants or justify the innocent. The attributes of Nemesis include a sword, a whip, a bridle, scales, a chariot drawn by griffins (monsters with lion bodies and eagle heads). All these attributes symbolize punishment, balance and speed of reaction.
The cult of the goddess existed in Ramnunta (Attica), where she was called Ramnusia. There, a temple was dedicated to her near Marathon, in which her statue was erected by the sculptor Phidias. The goddess was also worshiped in Boeotia and called her Nemesis Adrastea ("inevitable") - the goddess of revenge for those who transgressed the law. In ancient Rome, Nemesis was revered as the patroness of soldiers and gladiators. She is also mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey, but not personified. Images of Nemesis were found on various works of art: ancient amphoras, mosaics, etc.
Biography of Nemesis
According to one version, Nemesis is the daughter of Nikta (goddess of the night) and Erebus (god of darkness). She was born as a punishment to Kronos along with other deities: Apata, the goddess of deception, Hypnos, the god of dark dreams, Eris, the goddess of discord, Kerr, the god of destruction, and Thanatos, the god of death. According to ancient versions, she is the daughter of the Ocean, and according to others, the daughter of Themis and Zeus.
According to some myths, Nemesis is the mother of the brothers Diokurov and Elena, born of Zeus. In Stasin's poem, Zeus tried to take possession of Nemesis, who pursued her both on land and in the water, where she turned into a fish.
In the writings of the ancient Greek playwright Euripides, Aphrodite, at the request of the supreme god, turned into an eagle and pursued Zeus, who turned into a beautiful swan. Nemesis, taking pity on him, covered the swan in her lap and fell asleep. Zeus took possession of her during sleep. According to myths, having turned into a goose, Nemesis laid an egg. Leda found him on a walk under the hyacinths (either the shepherd brought him, or Hermes threw him in), from which Diokura and Elena appeared. The latter is the embodiment of the revenge of the gods on the human race. Elena, according to the Cypriots, was the cause of the Trojan War.
