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In Greek mythology, Soteria ( Greek: Σωτηρία) was the goddess or spirit ( daimon) of safety and salvation, deliverance, and preservation from harm (not to be mistaken for Eleos). Soteria was also an epithet of the goddesses Persephone and Hecate, meaning deliverance and safety. [1]
Soteria's male counterpart was the spirit or daimon Soter. Both Zeus and Dionysus were titled Soter, so either may have been her father; her mother is unknown.
She had a sanctuary and a statue made in her honor in the town of Patrae, [2] which was believed to have been founded by Eurypylos of Thessaly. Various texts mention the creation of her sanctuary, for example:
Soteria was depicted as a woman wearing a laurel wreath crown, a symbol of victory.
In Roman mythology, Soteria is known as Salus (Preservation); however, Salus's domain more heavily featured physical well-being and health rather than security and safety. The Bible's use of Soteria indicates its etymology from Greek mythology, as the word is used to mean "fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and most importantly the pleasure of sin." [4]
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (November 2018) |
In Greek mythology, Soteria ( Greek: Σωτηρία) was the goddess or spirit ( daimon) of safety and salvation, deliverance, and preservation from harm (not to be mistaken for Eleos). Soteria was also an epithet of the goddesses Persephone and Hecate, meaning deliverance and safety. [1]
Soteria's male counterpart was the spirit or daimon Soter. Both Zeus and Dionysus were titled Soter, so either may have been her father; her mother is unknown.
She had a sanctuary and a statue made in her honor in the town of Patrae, [2] which was believed to have been founded by Eurypylos of Thessaly. Various texts mention the creation of her sanctuary, for example:
Soteria was depicted as a woman wearing a laurel wreath crown, a symbol of victory.
In Roman mythology, Soteria is known as Salus (Preservation); however, Salus's domain more heavily featured physical well-being and health rather than security and safety. The Bible's use of Soteria indicates its etymology from Greek mythology, as the word is used to mean "fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and most importantly the pleasure of sin." [4]