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In Greek mythology, Hypate /ˈhɪpət/ (Ὑπάτη) was one of the three Muses of the lyre who were worshipped at Delphi, where the Temple of Apollo and the Oracle were located. Her name was also used to describe the first (lowest) note of the first tetrachord in ancient Greek music, which was also the tallest string on the lyre. Her sisters who were worshipped along with her were Nete and Mese, who also have notes named after them in ancient Greek music theory. [1] These three muses were comparable to the original three, Aoide, Melete, and Mneme. Alternatively, they were Cephisso, Apollonis, and Borysthenis, which portrayed them as the daughters of Apollo.

Place name

The name of the ancient city Hypate (now Ypati, a village in Phthiotis west of Lamia) is unrelated to this Muse. It has a different etymology meaning "the height of Oeta (Oiti)".

References

  1. ^ Williams, Charles Francis Abdy (1903). The story of notation (1st ed.). London: London, The Walter Scott publishing co., ltd.; New York, C. Scribner's sons. pp. 11–13.