In Greek mythology, Poena or Poine (Greek: Ποινή "recompense, punishment") is the spirit of punishment[1] and the attendant of punishment to Nemesis,[2] the goddess of divine retribution. Sometimes mentioned as one being, and sometimes in the plural as Poenai (Ποιναί) and are akin to the Erinyes.[3] Her Roman equivalent may have been Ultio.
The Greek word poinḗ (ποινή) means a recompense or a punishment. From this word the Latin poena meaning "pain, punishment, penalty" is derived, which in turn gave rise to English words such as "subpoena" and "pain".[4]
References
- ^ Atsma, Aaron. "Poine". Theoi Project. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
- ^ Irwin, Patrick. "Nemesis". University of Oxford. Archived from the original on 2010-10-02. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
- ^ A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Poena
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Harper, Douglas. "Penal - Etymology". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
External links
- LacusCurtius – Poena
- Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionary
- Poine: a study in ancient Greek blood-vengeance. By Hubert Joseph Treston, published in the United Kingdom, by Longmans, Green and Co., in 1923.