Editing Ananke (section)

=== 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.)