Editing Charites (section)

== Cult ==
[[File:Canova-Three Graces 0 degree view.jpg|thumb|''[[The Three Graces (Canova)|The Three Graces]]'', [[Antonio Canova]]'s first version, now in the [[Hermitage Museum]]|280x280px]]
The cult of the Charites is very old, with their name appearing to be of [[Pelasgians|Pelasgian]], or pre-Greek, origin rather than being brought to Greece by [[Proto-Indo-Europeans]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=Aphrodite and Eros: The Development of Greek Erotic Mythology|url=https://archive.org/details/aphroditeerosdev00brei_533|url-access=limited|last=Breitenberger|first=Barbara|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|isbn=978-0-415-96823-2|location=New York, NY|pages=[https://archive.org/details/aphroditeerosdev00brei_533/page/n115 105]-116|chapter=Goddesses of Grace and Beauty: the Charites}}</ref> The purpose of their cult appears to be similar to that of nymphs, primarily based around fertility and nature with a particular connection to springs and rivers.<ref name=":4" /> One of the earliest centres of worship for the Charites was the [[Cyclades|Cycladic Islands]] including [[Paros]], with epigraphical evidence for a cult to the Charites dating to the sixth century B.C.E. on the island of [[Santorini|Thera]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> Scholars have interpreted them as chthonic deities connected to fertility due to the absence of wreaths and flutes in ceremonies. An aetiological explanation for the lack of music and garlands was from a myth involving [[Minos]]. He was said to have been sacrificing to the Charites on the island of Paros when he learned of his son's death in Athens and stopped the music and ripped off his garlands in grief.<ref name=":1" /> Dance, however, appears to be strongly connected with their cult, which is similar to the cults of [[Dionysus]] and [[Artemis]].<ref name=":4" />

Although the Charites were most commonly depicted in the sanctuaries of other gods, there were at least four temples exclusively dedicated to them in Greece. The temple regarded as their perhaps most important was that in [[Orchomenus (Boeotia)|Orkhomenos]] in [[Boeotia]], where their cult was thought to have originated. There were also temples to the Charites in [[Ermioni|Hermione]], [[Sparta]], and [[Elis (city)|Elis]].<ref>Pausanias, ''Description of Greece'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D2%3Achapter%3D34%3Asection%3D10 2.34.10], [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D3%3Achapter%3D14%3Asection%3D6 3.14.6], [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D6%3Achapter%3D24%3Asection%3D6 6.24.6]</ref> A temple was dedicated to the Charites near the [[Tiasa|Tiasa river]] in [[Amyclae]], [[Laconia]] that was reportedly founded by the ancient King of Sparta, [[Lacedaemon (mythology)|Lacedaemon]].<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D3%3Achapter%3D18%3Asection%3D6 3.18.6]</ref>

[[File:Les Trois Graces LP 5.jpg|thumb|''Les Trois Grâces'' by [[James Pradier]], 1831. Louvre.|left|280x280px]]
In Orkhomenos, the goddesses were worshipped at a very ancient site with a trio of stones, which is similar to other Boiotian cults to [[Eros]] and [[Heracles|Herakles]].<ref name=":1" /> The local river [[Cephissus (Boeotia)|Kephisos]] and the Akidalia (or Argaphia) spring was sacred to the three goddesses. Orkhomenos was an agriculturally prosperous city because of the marshy Kopaic plain, and the Charites were offered a portion of the produce.<ref name=":1" /> Regarding the foundation of their cult in Orkhomenos, [[Strabo]] wrote:

{{blockquote|Eteokles, one of those who reigned as king at Orkhomenos, who founded a temple of the Kharites, was the first to display both wealth and power; for he honored these goddesses either because he was successful in receiving graces, or in giving them, or both. For necessarily, when he had become naturally inclined to kindly deeds, he began doing honor to these goddesses; and therefore he already possessed this power.<ref>Strabo, ''Geography'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0198%3Abook%3D9%3Achapter%3D2%3Asection%3D40 9.2.40] (trans. Jones)</ref>
}}

In cult, the Charites were particularly connected with [[Apollo]] and appear to be connected to his cult on [[Delos]]; however, this connection is not present in other cults to Apollo.<ref name=":4" /> In the Classical era and beyond, the Charites were associated with Aphrodite in connection to civic matters.<ref name=":4" />

There was a festival in honour of the Charites which was called ''Charisia'' (Χαρίσια). During this festival there were dances all night and at the end a cake was given to those who remained awake during the whole time.<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=charisia-harpers Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Charisia]</ref>