HOURS, HORÆ, in the ancient mythology, were certain goddesses, the daughters of Jupiter and Themis; at first only three in number, Eunomia, Dice, and Irene, to which were afterwards added two more, Carpo and Thallote.
Homer makes them the doorkeepers of heaven. Ovid allots them the employment of harpelling the hories of the Sun:
Jungere equos Titan velocibus imperat Horis.
And speaks of them as standing, at equal distances, about the throne of Sol:
—et, postice spatii equalibus, Horæ.
The poets represent them as dressed in fine coloured or embroidered robes, and gliding on with a quick and easy motion.