Themis
The Titaness of divine law, custom, and natural order who served as Zeus's first counsellor and held Delphi before Apollo.
The Myth of Themis
Themis was the Titaness of divine law — not human legislation (which belonged to her daughter Eunomia) but the deeper natural order, the way things ought to be. She was the daughter of Ouranos and Gaia, and unlike most Titans, she was never banished to Tartarus. Instead, she became Zeus's first wife or counsellor, sitting beside him on Olympus and providing the wisdom that made his rule legitimate. She bore him the Horae (Seasons) — Eunomia (Good Order), Dike (Justice), and Eirene (Peace) — and the Moirai (Fates). Aeschylus records that Themis held the Oracle of Delphi after Gaia and before Phoebe, making her part of the prophetic succession that culminated in Apollo. Her name means that which is laid down — the established custom, the unwritten law that governs both gods and mortals. She presided over assemblies, and it was Themis who convened the gods on Olympus whenever Zeus commanded.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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Themis
🏔 titanTitaness of divine law
Themis was the Titaness of divine law and natural order — the figure behind Lady Justice.
Eurynome
🏔 titanPastures, Wide Rule
A Titaness who in some traditions ruled Olympus alongside her husband Ophion before being overthrown by Cronus and Rhea in a divine coup.
Phoebe
🏔 titanTitaness of bright intellect and prophecy
Phoebe was the Titaness of radiant intellect and prophetic wisdom — the original holder of the Delphic oracle before her grandson Apollo.
Dione
🏔 titanTitaness and mother of Aphrodite
An ancient Titaness worshipped at Dodona as the consort of Zeus and, in Homer's tradition, the mother of Aphrodite.
Phoebe
🏔 titanTitaness of prophetic radiance
The Titaness of bright intellect and prophetic radiance who held the Oracle of Delphi before passing it to Apollo.
Anytus
🏔 titanTitan who raised Despoina
One of the Titans who nursed the secret daughter of Demeter and Poseidon in Arcadia.
Rhea
🏔 titanTitaness of fertility, motherhood, the mountain wilds
Mother of the Olympian gods and wife of Kronos. Rhea saved the infant Zeus from being devoured by his father, enabling the rise of the Olympians.
Metis
🏔 titanWisdom, Cunning Counsel
The Titaness of wisdom and first wife of Zeus, swallowed whole by the king of the gods when a prophecy warned that her child would surpass him.
Hyperion
🏔 titanTitan of heavenly light, observation
Titan of light and father of the sun, moon, and dawn. Hyperion was one of the original twelve Titans, embodying the celestial light that preceded the Olympians.
Goddess of Justice
💭 conceptJustice, law, moral order, custom
Themis upholds divine law and natural order, counselling Zeus on what is right and presiding over assemblies.
Astraea
🏔 titanStar-maiden of justice
The virgin goddess of justice who lived among humans during the Golden Age and was the last immortal to leave Earth.
Eidyia
🏔 titanknowledge, the knowing one
The youngest of the Oceanids, whose name means "the knowing one," wife of Aeetes and mother of Medea.