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InGreek mythology,Pheme (/ˈfiːmiː/FEE-mee;Greek:Φήμη,Phēmē;Roman equivalent:Fama), also known asOssa inHomeric sources,[1] was the personification of fame and renown, her favour being notability, her wrath being scandalous rumours. She was a daughter either ofGaia or ofElpis (Hope), was described as "she who initiates and furthers communication" and had an altar atAthens. A tremendous gossip, Pheme was said to have pried into the affairs of mortals and gods, then repeated what she learned, starting off at first with just a dull whisper, but repeating it louder each time, until everyone knew. In art, she was usually depicted with wings and atrumpet.[2]
InRoman mythology, Fama ("rumour") was described as having multiple tongues, eyes, ears, and feathers byVirgil (inAeneid IV line 180 and following) and other authors.Virgil wrote that she "had her feet on the ground, and her head in the clouds, making the small seem great and the great seem greater". In Homer Pheme is called the Rumour goddess or the messenger of Zeus. In Book One of the Odyssey, the purpose of Telemachus' journey to Pylos is so that he might gain "pheme" among the world.[3]
InEnglish Renaissance theatre, Rumour was a stock personification, best known fromWilliam Shakespeare'sHenry IV, Part 2 in the quote "Open your ears; for which of you will stop The vent of hearing, when loud Rumour speaks?". James C. Bulman'sArden Shakespeare edition notes numerous lesser known theatrical examples.[4]
The Greek wordpheme is related to Φάναι "to speak" and can mean "fame", "report", or "rumor". The Latin wordfama, with the same range of meanings, is related to the Latinfari ("to speak"), and is, through French, theetymon of the English "fame".[5]
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