Aergia
Personification of sloth, idleness, indolence and laziness
AbodeUnderworld (specifically in the House of Hypnos)
Personal information
ParentsAether and Gaea
SiblingsDolor, Dolos, Ira, Luctus, Mendacium, Jusjurandum, Ultio, Intemperantia, Altercatio, Oblivio, Timor, Superbia, Incestum, Pugna
Equivalents
Roman equivalentSocordia or Ignavia

In Greek mythology, Aergia (/eɪˈɜrdʒə/; Ancient Greek: Ἀεργία, 'inactivity')[1] is the personification of sloth, idleness, indolence and laziness. She is the translation of the Latin Socordia, or Ignavia. She was translated to Greek because Hyginus mentioned her based on a Greek source, and thus can be considered as both a Greek and Roman goddess. Aergia's opposite character is Horme, a goddess of effort.

Family

Aergia was the daughter of the primordial deities Aether and Gaia.[2]

"From Aether (Air) and Terra/ Gaia (Earth) [were born]: Dolor (Pain), Dolus (Guile), Ira/ Lyssa (Anger), Luctus/ Penthus (Lamentation), Mendacium/ Pseudologoi (Lies), Jusjurandum/ Horcus (Oath), Ultio/ Poine (Vengeance), Intemperantia (Intemperance), Altercatio/ Amphillogiai (Altercation), Oblivio/ Lethe (Forgetfulness), Socordia/ Aergia (Sloth), Timor/ Phobos (Fear), Superbia (Arrogance), Incestum (Sacrilege), Pugna/ Hysminai (Combat)."[3]

Mythology

According to Statius, Aergia was said to be the 'torpid' guard in the court of Hypnos (Sleep) in the Underworld.[4]

"In] the hollow recesses of a deep and rocky cave . . . [are] set the halls of lazy Somnus/ Hypnos (Sleep) and his untroubled dwelling. The threshold is guarded by shady Quies/ ?Hesychia (Quiet) and dull Oblivio/ Lethe (Forgetfulness) and torpid Ignavia/ Aergia (Sloth) with ever drowsy countenance. Otia/ Acratus (Ease) and Silentia/ ?Hesychia (Silence) with folded wings sit mute in the forecourt. . ."[5]

Notes

  1. ἀεργία. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
  2. Hyginus, Fabulae Preface.
  3. Hyginus, Fabulae Preface. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. Statius, Thebaid 10.90 ff.
  5. Statius, Thebaid 10.86–92 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

References

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