Themis from the Temple of Nemesis, Rhamnous, Attica, signed by the sculptor Chairestratos, c. 300 BCE

Themis (Greek: Θέμις) is an ancient Greek Titaness. She is described as "of good counsel", and is the embodiment of divine order, law, and custom. Themis means "divine law" rather than human ordinance, literally "that which is put in place", from the verb τίθημι, títhēmi, "to put".</ref>

To the ancient Greeks she was originally the organizer of the "communal affairs of humans, particularly assemblies".^[1] Moses Finley remarked of themis, as the word was used by Homer in the 8th century, to evoke the social order of the 10th- and 9th-century Greek Dark Ages:

Themis is untranslatable. A gift of the gods and a mark of civilized existence, sometimes it means right custom, proper procedure, social order, and sometimes merely the will of the gods (as revealed by an omen, for example) with little of the idea of right.^[2]

Finley adds, "There was themis—custom, tradition, folk-ways, mores, whatever we may call it, the enormous power of 'it is (or is not) done'. The world of Odysseus had a highly developed sense of what was fitting and proper."^[3]

Mythology[link]

Statue of Themis, Chuo University, Japan.

The personification of abstract concepts is characteristic of the Hellenes. The ability of the goddess Themis to foresee the future enabled her to become one of the Oracles of Delphi, which in turn led to her establishment as the goddess of divine justice.

Some classical representations of Themis (illustration, left) did not show her blindfolded (because of her talent for prophecy, she had no need to be blinded) nor was she holding a sword (because she represented common consent, not coercion). The sword is also believed to represent the ability Themis had from cutting fact from fiction, to her there was no middle ground. Themis built the Oracle at Delphi and was herself oracular. According to another legend, Themis received the Oracle at Delphi from Gaia and later gave it to Phoebe.^[4]

When Themis is disregarded, Nemesis brings just and wrathful retribution, thus Themis shared the Nemesion temple at Rhamnous. Themis is not wrathful: she, "of the lovely cheeks", was the first to offer Hera a cup when she returned to Olympus distraught over threats from Zeus (Iliad xv. 88).

Themis presided over the proper relation between man and woman, the basis of the rightly ordered family (the family was seen as the pillar of the deme), and judges were often referred to as "themistopóloi" (the servants of Themis). Such was the basis for order upon Olympus too. Even Hera addressed her as "Lady Themis." The name of Themis might be substituted for Adrasteia in telling of the birth of Zeus on Crete.

Themis was present at Delos to witness the birth of Apollo. According to Ovid, it was Themis rather than Zeus who told Deucalion to throw the bones of "his Mother" over his shoulder to create a new race of humankind after the Deluge.

Hesiod's description and contrast to Dike[link]

In Greek mythology, Hesiod mentions^[5] Themis among the six sons and six daughters of Gaia and Uranus (Earth and Sky). Among these Titans of primordial myth, few were venerated at specific sanctuaries in classical times.

Themis occurred in Hesiod's Theogony as the first recorded appearance of Justice as a divine personage. Drawing not only on the socio-religious consciousness of his time but also on many of the earlier cult-religions, Hesiod described the forces of the universe as cosmic divinities. Hesiod portrayed temporal justice, Dike, as the daughter of Zeus and Themis.

Dike executed the law of judgments and sentencing and, together with her mother Themis, carried out the final decisions of Moira. For Hesiod, Justice is at the center of religious and moral life, who, independently of Zeus, is the embodiment of divine will. This personification of Dike will stand in contrast to justice viewed as custom or law, and as retribution or sentence.^[6]

Children[link]

The only consort for Themis mentioned in the sources below is Zeus.

Horai: the Hours[link]

With Zeus she more certainly bore the Horae,^[7] those embodiments of the right moment – the rightness of Order unfolding in Time – and Astraea.

First Generation[link]

• Auxo (the Grower)
• Carpo (the Fruit-bringer)
• Thallo (the Plant-raiser)

Second Generation[link]

• Dike (Justice)
• Eirene (Peace)
• Eunomia (Order of Law)

Moirai: the Fates[link]

Followers of Zeus claimed that it was with him that Themis produced the Moirai, Three Fates.^[8] A fragment of Pindar,^[9] however, tells that the Moirai were already present at the nuptials of Zeus and Themis; that in fact the Moirai rose with Themis from the springs of Okeanos the encircling World-Ocean and accompanied her up the bright sun-path to meet Zeus at Mount Olympus.

• Atropos (the Inevitable)
• Clotho (the Weaver)
• Lachesis (the Lot-caster)

Justitia[link]

A Roman equivalent of one aspect of Hellenic Themis, as the personification of the divine rightness of law, was Iustitia (Anglicized as Justitia). Her origins are in civic abstractions of a Roman mindset, rather than archaic mythology, so drawing comparisons is not fruitful. Portrayed as an impassive woman, holding scales and a double-edged sword (sometimes a cornucopia), and since the 16th century usually shown blindfolded, the sculpted figure outside a courthouse is typically Justitia or Lady Justice, not Themis. In the Law Courts at Vancouver, British Columbia, however, the statue is explicitly of Themis.

See also[link]

• Nyx

References[link]

External links[link]

• Theoi Project: Themis

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Themis

Stylianos (Stelios) Kazantzidis (August 29, 1931 – September 14, 2001) (Greek: Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης) was a prominent Greek singer. A leading singer of Greek popular music, or Laïkó, he collaborated with many of Greece's foremost composers.

Biography[link]

Kazantzidis was born in Nea Ionia, in Athens, Greece. He was the first of two brothers born to Haralambos Kazantzidis (of Pontian roots from Ordu) and Gesthimani Kazantzidis, who came from the Town of Alanya (known as Alaiya) in Southern Turkey and migrated to Greece as a result of the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922). He was orphaned at the age of 13 when his father, a member of the Greek Resistance, was tortured to death by the rightists.^[1] This forced Kazantzidis into employment, working as a baggage-carrier at Omonia Square and then for an interstate bus company, as a seller of roasted chestnuts at open markets, and as a labourer at the Nea Ionia textile mills.

His life changed when the owner of a factory, which was located in the Perissos working district, gave him a guitar. He spent long hours playing music.

He made his first public appearance at a Kifissia night club in the early 1950s and soon after, in July 1952, made his first studio recording at Columbia studios with a song entitled "I'm going for a swim" (Για μπάνιο πάω), written by Apostolos Kaldaras. It did not do well but he tried again, recording Giannis Papaioannou's "The suitcases" (Οι βαλίτσες) soon after. The song became the first of many hits and with his newfound popularity he began to make appearances in some of the biggest clubs of the time, like "Theios", "Mpertzeletos" and "Rosignol". With his career in full swing, Kazantzidis began to collaborate with some of the biggest names in Greek music, among them Manolis Chiotis, Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, and Stavros Xarhakos. He and Marinella became a legendary duo.

A hallmark in his career — and an event of great importance for the musical scene of post-war Greece — was his cooperation with composer Vassilis Tsitsanis. It started in 1956 and resulted in Kazantzidis reinterpreting some of Tsitsanis old songs. Kazantzidis, thus, sung and popularized such rebetiko classics as "Synnefiasmeni Kyriaki", "Mpakse tsifliki" and "Ta Kavourakia". These songs, and many others, previously unknown to the wide public suddenly became cherished and sought-after.

Stelios Kazantzidis married Marinella on 7 May 1964 and they toured together in Germany and the United States.

In 1965 Kazantzidis, whilst at the peak of his career, decided to stop appearing in nightclubs. He didn't sing in public again for the rest of his life. For the next ten years, he only released studio albums. In September 1966 he divorced Marinella, and they recorded their last duets ("Mh Mou Lete Gia Authn", "Apopse Se Eho Stin Agalia Mou," "I Kardia Tis Manas") for Philips the following year. In 1968 Kazantzidis recorded "Nyhterides Ki Arahnes", written by newcomer Hristos Nikolopoulos; the song became an immediate success. In 1973 he collaborated with songwriter Akis Panou and released an album with six songs, including one of his biggest hits, "I zoi mou oli", and in 1974 he recorded "Stin Anatoli", composed by Theodorakis. The next year he recorded another one of his biggest hits, "Iparho", penned by Pythagoras. Suddenly Kazantzidis rocked the Greek music industry again, when he announced his decision to stop recording. He accused his label of "colonial-like" contracts and took a leave from recording. In 1987 he recorded again for the first time after 12 years. "Ο Dromos Tis Epistrofis" (Ο Δρόμος της Επιστροφής) sold 200,000 copies and became a commercial success. He continued to release records occasionally for the rest of his life. Kazantidis, besides his work on folk music, also recorded four records with Pontic alongside Chrysanthos Theodoridis, the greatest Pontic singer, songwriter, and lyricist.^[2]

Foreign audiences[link]

In Israel, he was a musical icon. Many of his songs were translated into Hebrew and performed by the country's leading singers. Yaron Enosh, an Israel Radio broadcaster who often plays Greek music on his programs, described the singer's ability to combine joy with sorrow: "This is the task of music: to touch the entire range of feelings...Kazantzidis could do this; he played on all the strings." ^[3] To the Greek Jews who immigrated to Israel, Kazantzidis was "the voice of the world they left behind, for good or for bad." According to the operator of Radio Agapi, a station that plays Greek music 24 hours a day, "Kazantzidis was the voice of the people, of the weary, the exploited, the betrayed. And the voice of the refugee and the emigre, too." ^[4]

Kazantzidis also sang in Turkish.^[5][6]

Death[link]

Kazantzidis died of a brain tumor on September 14, 2001.^[7] His death was an emotional event for Greece, as attested to by the many obituaries in appreciation of his life and work.^[8] Kazantzidis was given a national funeral through the streets of Elefsina (26 km from Athens) which was broadcast live on Greek television. His music was also beloved by the Greek diaspora all over the world, capturing their feelings in the difficult post-war period.^{[citation needed]}

Commorated in a Greek postage stamp in 2010.

Film[link]

Greek popular music had long been intertwined with Greek post-war cinema. In the 50s and 60s, almost every film contained portions of music performed on screen, often by Kazantzidis.^[9]

• I kyria dimarhos (1960) - The mayoress
• Paixe, bouzouki mou glyko (1965) - Play, my sweet Bouzouki
• I timoria (1965) - The punishment
• Afiste me na ziso (1965) - Let me live
• Adistaktoi (1965) - The Ruthless
• Oi angeloi tis amartias (To limani) (1966) - Angels of sin
• Foukarades kai leftades (1966) - Poor men and rich men
• Eho dikaioma na s' agapo! (1966) - I have the right to love you
• O gerontokoros (1967) - The old single man
• I ora tis dikaiosynis (1967) - The hour of justice
• Adiki katara (1967) - Unjust Curse
• Ta psihoula tou kosmou (1968) - The breadcrumbs of the world
• Oi andres den lygizoun pote! (1968) - Men never expire
• O gigas tis Kypselis (1968) - The giant of Kypselis
• Kravges ston anemo (1976) - Shouts in the wind

One of his songs (Efige Efige) featured in the end scene of Season 2 of the hit HBO TV series The Wire.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 1961-63
• O Stelios Tragoudaei – 'Stelios is Singing (2001/2002)
• Iparho – I Exist
• Stelios Kazantzidis: Ta zeibekika (2006/2007?)

Singles[link]

Notable Stelios Kazantzidis songs include:

• I zoi mou oli – My entire life – 2:57
• Dio Portes Echi i Zoi – Life has two doors – 3:20
• To Agriolouloudo – The wildflower – 2:50
• Allotines Mou Epoches – My former times - 2:43
• Anemona – 3:00
• De Tha Ksanagapiso – I will never love again – 3:10
• As Eicha tin Ygeia Mou – If I had my health – 3:03
• An Einai i Agapi Egklima – If love is a crime – 2:26
• Ego me tin Axia Mou – Me with my worth – 3:15
• Eimai Ena Kormi Chameno – I'm a lost man – 3:33
• Exo Ap'Adiko – I have suffered injustice - 3:04
• Gyrizo Ap'ti Nychta – I return from the night – 2:58
• Tin Kalyva Ti Diki Mou – That hut of mine – 2:32
• I Kardia Mou As Opsetai – Take a look at my heart - 3:16
• Kathenas me ton Pono Tou – Each with his pain – 3:20
• Katastrofes kai Symfores – Catastrophes and misfortunes - 3:45
• Ki An Gello Einai Psema – And if I laugh, it's a lie – 3:24
• Me Xypnas Charamata – You wake me at dawn – 2:40
• Niotho mia Kourasi Vareia – I feel a deep weariness – 3:05
• Nomiza Pos Itan Filoi – I thought that they were friends – 3:15
• Otan Methaei o Anthropos – When A man gets drunk – 2:46
• Pare ta Chnaria Mou – Take my footprints - 3:08
• I Stenochoria Mou – My concerns – 3:00
• Tha to Po Fanera – I'll say it openly – 3:24
• Sto Trapezi pou ta Pino – At the table where I drink – 2:37
• H Kypros einai Elliniki – Cyprus is Greek – 3:12
• Nea Ionia – Nea Ionia – 2:49

References[link]

1. ^ Kazantzidis talking about his father's murder on YouTube
2. ^ http://home.napster.com/ns/music/artist.html?artist_id=12486484
3. ^ The Greek pillar of Israeli music, Haaretz
4. ^ The Greek pillar of Israeli music, Haaretz
5. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAq5Ln7ODic
6. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNnHUZmQpE&feature=related
7. ^ The Greek pillar of Israeli music, Haaretz
8. ^ Buhayer, Constantine (Tuesday September 18, 2001). "Obituary: Stelios Kazantzidis". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2001/sep/18/guardianobituaries2. Retrieved 2008-11-30. 
9. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1050015/ Kazantzidis on the IMDB

External links[link]

• Official fan community Stelios Kazantzidis
• Who is Stelios Kazantzidis?, Trapezounta
• Stelios Kazantzidis' videos on YouTube
• Syllogos filon Stelios Kazantzidis