Fates
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Fates,
in Greek religion and mythology, three goddesses who controlled human lives; also called the Moerae or Moirai. They were: Clotho, who spun the web of life; Lachesis, who measured its length; and Atropos, who cut it. The Roman Fates were the Parcae—Nona, Decuma, and Morta. In Norse mythology, the three NornsNorns,the Norse Fates. Like the Fates of Greek religion and mythology, the Norns spun and wove the web of life. Belief in the Norns was of great importance in Germanic religion and life. It was said that no one, not even the gods, could escape their fate.
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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Fates
(in Greek, Moirae), in ancient Greek mythology, the three daughters of Zeus and Themis. They were goddesses of fate, whose task was to watch over the course of human life. Clotho spun the thread of life, Lachesis assigned to each man his destiny, and, at the appointed hour, Atropos cut the thread of life irreversibly. In Roman mythology the Parcae corresponded to the Moirae.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fates
three goddesses who spin, measure out, and cut the thread of each human’s life. Also called Lat. Parcae, Gk. Moirai. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 757]
See: Fate
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.