Elpis

The personification of hope. The Greeks relate the beautiful allegory, that when Epimetheus opened the vessel brought to him by Pandora, from which all manner of evils were scattered over the earth, Hope (Elpis) alone remained behind.

The Romans called her Spes.

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Iconography

Elpis was represented in works of art as a youthful figure, lightly walking in full attire, holding in her right hand a flower, and with the left lifting up her garment.1

References

Notes

  1. Hirt, A. (1805). Bilderbuch für Mythologie p. 100; Müller. (1852). Ancient Art and its Remains, p. 406.

Sources

  • Hesiod. Works and Days, 96.
  • Smith, William. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberly.
  • Theognis, 1135.

This article incorporates text from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1870) by William Smith, which is in the public domain.