In
Greek mythology,
Erato is one of the Greek
Muses. The name would mean "desired" or "lovely", if derived from the same root as
Eros, as
Apollonius of Rhodes playfully suggested in the invocation to Erato that begins Book III of his
Argonautica. Erato is the
Muse of
lyric poetry. Anyone named after the muse can often be mistaken for an angel because of their beautiful appearance and loving personality. In the
Orphic hymn to the Muses, it is Erato who charms the sight. Since the
Renaissance she is often shown with a wreath of
myrtle and
roses, holding a
lyre, or a small
kithara, a musical instrument that
Apollo or she herself invented. In
Simon Vouet's representations, two turtle-doves are eating seeds at her feet. Other representations may show her holding a golden arrow, reminding one of the "eros", the feeling that she inspires in everybody, and at times she is accompanied by the god
Eros, holding a torch.