The Neikea
Personifications of Quarrel
Member of the Family of Eris
AbodeUnderworld (possibly)
Personal information
ParentsEris[1] or
Aether and Gaea[2]
Siblings
by Eris
by Aether and Gaea
Equivalents
Roman equivalentAltercatio
Greek deities
series
Personified concepts
List

In Greek mythology, the Neikea[pronunciation?] (Ancient Greek: Νείκεα; singular: Νεῖκος Neikos "quarrels") were spirits of arguments, feuds, quarrels and grievances. Their Roman counterpart was Altercatio.

Family

Hesiod's account

In Hesiod's Theogony identifies the Neikea as children of Eris (Strife) through parthenogenesis[3] and siblings of Hysminai ("Battles"), Makhai ("Wars"), Phonoi ("Murders") and Androktasiai (Manslaughters").[4]

"And hateful Eris bore painful Ponos ("Hardship"),
Lethe ("Forgetfulness") and Limos ("Starvation") and the tearful Algea ("Pains"),
Hysminai ("Battles"), Makhai ("Wars"), Phonoi ("Murders"), and Androktasiai ("Manslaughters");
Neikea ("Quarrels"), Pseudea ("Lies"), Logoi ("Stories"), Amphillogiai ("Disputes")
Dysnomia ("Anarchy") and Ate ("Ruin"), near one another,
and Horkos ("Oath"), who most afflicts men on earth,
Then willing swears a false oath."[5][6]

Hyginus' account

In another account, Neikos/ Altercatio was the offspring of the primordial deities Aether and Gaia.[7]

"From Aether (Air) and Terra/ Gaia (Earth) [were born]: Dolor/ Algos (Pain), Dolus (Guile), Ira/ Lyssa (Anger), Luctus/ Penthus (Lamentation), Mendacium/ Pseudologoi (Lies), Jusjurandum/ Horcus (Oath), Ultio/ Poine (Vengeance), Intemperantia (Intemperance), Altercatio/ Neikea (Altercation), Oblivio/ Lethe (Forgetfulness), Socordia/ Aergia (Sloth), Timor/ Phobos (Fear), Superbia (Arrogance), Incestum (Sacrilege), Pugna/ Hysminai (Combat)."[8]

Notes

  1. ^ Hesiod, Theogony 229
  2. ^ Hyginus, Fabulae Preface
  3. ^ Hesiod, Theogony 229
  4. ^ Richard Caldwell, Hesiod's Theogony, Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Company (June 1, 1987). ISBN 978-0-941051-00-2.
  5. ^ Caldwell, p. 42 lines 226-232, with the meanings of the names (in parentheses), as given by Caldwell, p. 40 on lines 212–232.
  6. ^ Hesiod, Theogony 226–232 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ Hyginus, Fabulae Preface
  8. ^ Hyginus, Fabulae Preface Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

References

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