Editing Ananke (section)

== Mythology ==
In [[Orphism (religion)|Orphic]] mythology, Ananke is a self-formed being who emerged at the dawn of creation with an [[incorporeal]], serpentine form, her outstretched arms encompassing the cosmos. Ananke and [[Chronos]] are mates, mingling together in serpent form as a tie around the universe. Together, they have crushed the primal egg of creation of which constituent parts became earth, heaven and sea to form the ordered universe.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KkKGLhuhVfAC&pg=PA50|title=The Uroboric Serpent: Water and Being and the Mythos Unthought in Metaphysics|date=2008|isbn=9780549685210}}</ref> Ananke is the mother (or another identity) of [[Adrasteia]], the distributor of rewards and punishments.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k4-EAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA220|title=Religion and Psychology: Mapping the Terrain|last2=Parsons, Jr.|first2=William B.|last3=Gómez|first3=Luis O.|date=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781134625352|page=220|last1=Jonte-Pace|first1=Diane}}</ref>

In the ''[[Orphic Hymns]]'', Aphrodite Urania is described as the mother of Ananke and ruler of the three Moirai:
{{blockquote|
Ourania, illustrious, laughter-loving queen, sea-born, night-loving, of an awful mien;
<br />Crafty, from whom Ananke first came, producing, nightly, all-connecting dame: 
<br />'Tis thine the world with harmony to join, for all things spring from thee, O pow'r divine.
<br />The triple Moirai are rul'd by thy decree, and all productions yield alike to thee
|Orphic hymn LIV.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mierzwicki |first1=Tony |title=Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today |date=2018 |publisher=Llewellyn Worldwide |isbn=9780738743752 |page=93 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-_lmDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT93}}</ref>}}

=== Mother of the Moirai ===
The Greek philosopher [[Plato]] in his ''[[Republic (Plato)|Republic]]'' discussed the parentage of the Moirai or the Fates in the following lines:<ref>Plato, ''Republic'' 617c (trans. Shorey) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.):</ref><blockquote>And there were another three who sat round about at equal intervals, each one on her throne, the Moirai (Moirae, Fates), daughters of Ananke, clad in white vestments with filleted heads, Lakhesis ([[Lachesis]]), and Klotho ([[Clotho]]), and [[Atropos]] (Atropus), who sang in unison with the music of the [[Siren (mythology)|Seirenes]], Lakhesis singing the things that were, Klotho the things that are, and Atropos the things that are to be . . . Lakhesis, the maiden daughter of Ananke (Necessity).</blockquote>
[[File:Ananka i Mojre.JPG|thumb|Ananke the personification of Necessity, above the [[Moirai]], the Fates.]]

[[Aeschylus]], the famous tragedian, gave an account in his ''[[Prometheus Bound]]'' where the Moirai were called the helmsman of the goddess Ananke along with the three [[Erinyes]]:<ref>Aeschylus, ''Prometheus Bound'' 510 ff</ref><blockquote>Prometheus: Not in this way is Moira (Fate), who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Ananke (Necessity).<br />Chorus: Who then is the helmsman of Ananke (Necessity)?<br />Prometheus: The three-shaped (trimorphoi) Moirai (Moirae, Fates) and mindful (mnêmones) Erinyes (Furies).<br />Chorus: Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?<br />Prometheus: Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.<br />Chorus: Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?<br />Prometheus: This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.<br />Chorus: It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.</blockquote>Here Prometheus speaks of a secret prophecy, rendered ineluctable by Ananke, that any son born of Zeus and Thetis would depose the god. (In fact, any son of [[Thetis]] was destined to be greater than his father.)