In fact, there is only one known myth about Arete the goddess. Praxidike (The Execution of Justice) was her mother, and was responsible for both legal justice and personal vengeance. Some sources claim that it means "righteous", while others connect it with Ares, the Greek god … Finally, a person could not truly display excellence unless their body was also in good condition. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential. Arete represented a lofty ideal, but the Greeks recognized that this ideal depended on other concepts. Heracles, of course, chose the path of Arete. Arete in ancient Greek culture was courage and strength in the face of adversity and it was to what all people aspired. For a minor goddess, she has very high expectations in an untrained soldier, due to her seek of 'excellence.' She noted that she, like his parents, had watched him through his education and had seen the potential for great honor within him. Some sources claim that it means "righteous", while others connect it with Ares, the Greek god of war. Arete was, by her account, the most honored among all gods and men because none of their greatness would be possible without her. Hundreds of the minor gods and goddesses of ancient Greece personified specific virtues or ideals. She confessed, however, that the road to reaching this honor would not be easy. They did far more than learn logic, rhetoric, and mathematics from their tutors. The second woman was the opposite of Arete, the goddess of vice Cacia. When the young man asked her name, she replied that she was Happiness, but called Vice by those who hated her for her joy. The Greek notion of arete meant achieving one’s full human potential. She also belittled the comforts that Cacia offered. Arete as a goddess appeared only in one myth, in which she convinced Heracles to follow her even though a life in pursuit of greatness would be difficult. Arete is the ultimate Greek mythology roleplaying game. She offered him a life full of delights in which he would not have to work hard to enjoy material comfort. Cacia ran to Heracles to convince him to take a road she described as pleasant and easy. So what did Arete represent, and how could one achieve greatness in the Greek world? Of course, in the Greek world it was not possible for just anyone to meet Arete. A soft bed was useless if you had not done the work that made you tired. See more » Argonauts. Arete's opposite number was the daimona Cacia, lady of vice. Arete was the goddess or daimona of virtue, excellence, goodness and valour. When the Argonauts arrived at the island, Arete and her husband received them and Medea hospitably. She was mentioned often, but was rarely an actual character. The Greeks used arete just as modern English speakers use “excellence.” A chair can be excellent in that it is sturdy, comfortable, and beautifully designed, but human excellence requires far more. Arete is a philosophical term with deep meaning first used by Greeks. As the embodiment of excellence, Arete is often described as being present with great figures, but this could mean they possessed excellent virtue or were literally accompanied by its spirit. Arete as a Goddess and a Virtue In ancient Greek, the word arete meant virtue or excellence. When most people think of Greek mythology names for girls, they likely first think of Hera, the In the Greek tragedy 'Medea', when the … Arete (Ancient Greek: ἀρετή), alternately Areté, is defined as excellence of any kind. Decided on his path in life King Alcinous was incorporated into philosophy to describe type... Found it useful ( too long! display excellence unless their body was also in good condition, however believed... 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