ATE

ATE, the goddess of mischief, in the Pagan theology. She was daughter of Jupiter, and cast down from heaven at the birth of Hercules. For Juno having deceived Jupiter, in causing Euristheus to be born before Hercules, Jupiter expressed his resentment on Ate, as the author of that mischief: and threw her headlong from heaven to earth, swearing she should never return thither again (Homeri Il. xix. 125.). The name of this goddess comes from ateo, neos, "to hurt." Her being the daughter of Jupiter, means, according to mythologists, that no evil happens to us but by the

permission of Providence; and her banishment to earth denotes the terrible effects of divine justice among men.