Mythography of the Muses

Abstract

The article addresses the question of the Muses’ presence in mythographic writings. The paper considers the ways in which mythographic descriptions differ from literary references to the Muses, and the impact that mythographic practice has had on the image of the goddesses. The analyses progress from a general evaluation to a more detailed examination of specific examples. The central analysis considers the portrayal of the Muses in the works of Cicero, Diodoros, Apollodoros and Hyginus, and highlights the impact of mythographic variation on the configuration of the Muses. The conclusions emphasise the significant role of mythographic works in shaping the representation of the Muses, while also pointing to notable differences between this portrayal and that found in literary, and especially poetic traditions.