The muses of Greek Mythology

The Muses The Muses are the Greek goddesses who preside over the arts and sciences and inspire those who excel at these pursuits. Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne ("memory"), they were born in Pieria on the foot of Mount Olympus. Their nurse, Eupheme, raised them along with her son, Crotus the hunter , who was transported into the sky as Sagittarius upon his death. Their name denotes 'memory' or 'a reminder', since in earlier times poets …

…participated in various games (epic, poetry, rapsodia, kithara, aulos, satiric poetry, tragedy and comedy). It was common for ancient schools to have a shrine to the Muses called mouseion, the source of the modern word 'museum.' The famous Museum of Alexandria, founded by Ptolemy I, was a temple dedicated to the Muses. Before poets or storytellers recited their work, it was customary for them to invoke the inspiration and protection of the Muses(Hathorn169).