The Muses

The Muses were the nymphs of the springs on Mount Helikon and Mount Parnassos. The waters of these springs were the source of artistic inspiration. These nymphs became the patron goddesses of music, poetry and the other fine arts. Their artistic collections were the first "museums." The Muses with their respective areas of interest were:

Klio - History
Melpomene - Tragedy
Thalia - Comedy
Kaliope - Heroic Poetry
Urania - Astronomy
Euterpe - Music
Polyhymnia - Song and Oratory
Erato - Love Songs
Terpsichore - Dance

The Muses were also called Pierides.