According toHesiod and other sources (includingApollodorus), Aglaia was one of the three Charites, along withEuphrosyne (mirth) andThalia (abundance), who were the daughters ofZeus and theOceanidEurynome.[3][4][5][6] Other sources name the same three Charites (Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalia) but give them different parents. TheOrphic Hymn to the Graces says they are the daughters of Zeus andEunomia (goddess of good order and lawful conduct),[7] andPindar says that they are daughters of the strongest god (i.e. Zeus) without naming their mother.[8] Hesiod says also that Aglaia is the youngest of the Charites.[9][1][5][10][11]
According to theDionysiaca, Aglaia is one of the "dancers ofOrchomenus" (i.e. the Charites, per Pindar[8]), along withPasithea andPeitho, who attendAphrodite. When Aphrodite jealously attempts to weave better thanAthena, the Charites help her do so, with Aglaia passing her the yarn.[12] Aglaia also acts as Aphrodite's messenger, and is sent to find and bring a message toEros, who travels back to Aphrodite much faster because he can fly whereas Aglaia cannot. Aglaia here is referred to as aCharis (singular of Charites), but other characters not of this group are also namedCharis, including by Aglaia.[13]
Hard, Robin,The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology: Based on H.J. Rose's "Handbook of Greek Mythology", Psychology Press, 2004.ISBN978-0-415-18636-0.Google Books.
Pindar,The Odes of Pindar including the Principal Fragments with an Introduction and an English Translation by Sir John Sandys, Litt.D., FBA. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1937.Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
