InGreek mythology,Eunomia (Ancient Greek:Εὐνομία) was a minor but important goddess of law and legislation and her name can be translated as "good order", "governance according to good laws", as well as the spring-time goddess of green pastures (eû means "well, good" in Greek, and νόμος,nómos, means "law", while pasturelands are callednomia).[1] She is by most accounts the daughter ofThemis andZeus. Her opposite number wasDysnomia (Lawlessness).
Eunomia was the goddess of law and legislation and one of the Second Generation of theHorae along with her sistersDikē andEirene. The Horae were law and order goddesses who maintained the stability of society, and were worshipped primarily in the cities ofAthens,Argos andOlympia. FromPindar:
Eunomia and that unsullied fountainDikē, her sister, sure support of cities; andEirene of the same kin, who are the stewards of wealth for humanity—three glorious daughters of wise-counselled Themis.[2]
Eunomia's name, together with that of her sisters, formed aHendiatrisGood Order, Justice, and Peace.
She was frequently depicted inAthenian vase painting amongst the companions ofAphrodite, and in this sense represented the lawful or obedient behavior of women in marriage. As such she was identified withEurynome, mother of theCharites (Graces).
TheEunomia asteroid, and theEunomia family ofasteroids are named after her.
