DYSSEBEIA
Greek Name
Δυσσεβεια Δυσσεβια
Transliteration
Dyssebeia, Dyssebia
Roman Name
Impietas
Translation
Impiety, Ungodliness
DYSSEBEIA was the personified spirit (daimona) of impiety. She was the mother of Hybris (Excessive Pride). Her Roman name was Impietas.
PARENTS
Nowhere stated
OFFSPRING
HYBRIS (Aeschylus Eumenides 532)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Aeschylus, Eumenides 532 ff (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"I have a timely word of advice: arrogance (hybris) is truly the child of impiety (dyssebia), but from health of soul comes happiness, dear to all, much prayed for."
Seneca, Hercules Furens 90 ff (trans. Miller) (Roman tragedy C1st A.D.) :
"[Hera rages against Heracles :] ‘Dost think that now thou hast escaped the Styx [i.e. the Underword] and the cruel ghosts? Here will I show thee infernal shapes. One in deep darkness buried, far down below the place of banishment of guilty souls, will I call up--the goddess Discordia (Discord) [Eris], whom a huge cavern, barred by a mountain, guards; I will bring her forth, and drag out from the deepest realm of Dis [Haides] whatever thou hast left; hateful Scelus (Crime) [Hybris?] shall come and reckless Impietas (Impiety) [Dyssebeia], stained with kindred blood, Error (Error) [Ate], and Furor (Mad-Rage) [Lyssa], armed ever against itself--this, this be the minister of my smarting wrath!’"
SOURCES
GREEK
- Aeschylus, Eumenides - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
ROMAN
- Seneca, Hercules Furens - Latin Tragedy C1st A.D.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.