#patriarchs

Happy Feast Day Saint Joshua the Patriarch (Joshua the Prophet)

c.12th century BC Feast day: Sept 1 Saint Joshua is one of the Old Testament patriarchs. He was the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into Canaan. According to the books of Exodus he became the leader of the Israelite tribes after the death of Moses. God then commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land and to distribute the land to the twelve tribes of Israel. The Book of Joshua recounts his victories at Jericho, Ai, and other places. He died at 110 years of age and is known as a saint for his works and not by canonization.

Jacob with Laban and his Daughters Claude Lorrain (French; 1604–1682) 1676 Oil on canvas Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, England

Noble-born, Daughter of a Noble Father, Child of a Good Father,  of Excellent Paternity, Sired Nobly. 

Come, giant Hekate, Dione’s guard, O Persia, Baubo Phroune, dart-shooter, Unconquered, Lydian, the one untamed, Sired nobly, torch-bearing guide, who bends down Proud necks, Kore, hear, you who’ve parted / gates Of steel unbreakable. - PGM IV 2708-2784, lines 2713-2721, trans. Betz

An epithet also born by Aphrodite in the Orphic Hymns. And in the Iliad, it is said of Helen and of Tyro.

In the Archaic period, the nobility of Athens called themselves the Eupatridai, the ‘Sons of Good Fathers.’ As applied to Helen and to the aristocracy, the term emphasizes the concept of inherited excellence, which thankfully, isn’t as prominent in our own society. Particularly for the daughters of the nobility, where it implies a certain level of ownership, as well as suggesting that the daughters are valued not based upon their own actions, but upon their inherited qualities via their paternal line.

As such an epithet, it should be little shock to know that several Goddesses and no few Gods are referred by it. In particular, the children of Zeus carry the name.

Hekate is sometimes known as the child of Zeus and Asteria, though more commonly Her father is Perses. In other literature her father is Aristaios. Zeus is often referred to by his noble characteristics, deservedly so as the King of the Gods.

Perses, being a Titan, and one for whom we have little enough lore, is a bit more complicated. His name means ‘Destroyer,’ or ‘Ravager’ and his purview is as that of a destructive force. And yet, Hesiod says he was renown for his wisdom. The child of Krios, a Titan associated with the Heavens and the constellations, and Eurybia, a Titaness of the Sea, the constellations, seasons, and the winds, constitute the parents of Perses. So as the child of Titans associated with the stars in the sky, it is interesting that Perses married Asteria, Goddess of the Stars, and father of Hekate, who also carries powers over both Heaven and the Seas (as well as the Underworld.)

Aristaios’ portfolio is somewhat less dramatic, as a pastoral God of shepherds, cheesemakers, beekeeping, and half a dozen other skills. His name means ‘most excellent’ or ‘most useful.’ Considering his range includes various foods, medicines, hunting, as well as the breezes that soothe during the worst of the summer. Aristaios is the child of Apollo in most of the surviving stories, though he is sometimes a child of Ouranos.

Each of these connections suggest a different aspect of Hekate’s nature. As the daughter of Zeus, I sense the Hesiodic imagery of Hekate offering wisdom to Kings, and the honors She receives from both Gods and Humanity. With Perses, Hekate takes on a more mystical and dark aspect. She bears a bond with divination and destruction with His paternity, as well as a connection to the realms over which Hesiod describes Her powers. Lastly, Aristaios also reflects Hekate’s role over the fields and wilds as described by Hesiod.

A lot can be gained from examining the relationships between the Gods. Hekate’s parents contribute aspects to Her, and Her company reflects some aspects of Her nature. In learning about those relationships, and the character of Her family and friends, we gain new insight into Her nature, Her history, and how the ancient world understood Her.

Hail to the noble-born Gods, You children of the best fathers, Manifold are the blessings you have given To us, your children. Manifold our thanks and our offerings. May it ever be so.

 Source: Theoi.com

Betz, Hans Dieter. The Greek Magical Papyri in translation: Including the Demotic Spells, Univ. Chicago, 1996.

Rose, Peter W. Sons of the Gods, Children of Earth: Ideology and Literary Form in Ancient Greece, Cornell, 2019.

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