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Sponde (Greek: Σπονδη, meaning "") was the sixth youngest of the Horae. She was the daughter of Chronos and Ananke.

Myths & Legends[]

She represented the time of libation. Libation refers to drink, specifically when wine is offered to the gods. She is sometimes depicted as a maiden wearing orange tinged with red.

Accompanies Helios[]

The Horae are known to accompany Helios (sometimes Apollo) into the sky, and take care of the horses that pull the chariot of the sun. As mentioned in the poem below, they would assist in taking the horses out to pasture, taking Helios' corona off his head, and putting away the chariot.

"Far on the sloping margin of the western sea sinking Sol (the Sun) [Helios] had unyoked his flaming steeds, and laved their bright manes in the springs of Oceanus . . . and the swift-striding Horae (Hours), who strip him of his reins and the woven glory of his golden coronet, and relive his horse's dripping breasts of the hot harness; some turn the well-deserving steeds into the soft pasture, and lean the chariot backward, pole in air."

- Statius, Thebaid 3. 406 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.)


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