Astraea
| Astraea | |
|---|---|
Goddess of justice, the constellation Virgo | |
An 1886 bas-relief figure of Astraea in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Vermont State House. | |
| Greek | Ἀστραία |
| Abode | Earth (formerly) Sky (currently) |
| Symbols | Corn, scales of justice |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | |
| Siblings | Anemoi, Horae, Planetae, Pudicitia |
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Astraea (/æˈstriːə/; Ancient Greek: Ἀστραία, romanized: Astraía, lit. 'starry, star-like'), also spelled Astrea or Astria, is a daughter of Astraeus and Eos. She is the virgin goddess of justice, and is closely associated with another Greek justice goddess, Dike, the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Astraea is not to be confused with Asteria, the goddess of the stars and the daughter of Coeus and Phoebe.
In Greek myth, Astraea lived together with humans on earth during the idealistic Golden Age, when people were virtuous and no evil existed in the world. But as the human race became progressively crueler and more corrupt, Astraea decided to abandon humanity forever and live among the stars as the constellation Virgo. The Virgo was associated with a number of Greek goddesses in antiquity.
The main belt asteroid 5 Astraea is named after her, and her name was also suggested for the planet Uranus.