Dike (Dice; Justice) Greek The personification of justice, particularly under the law.

Dike (Dice; Justice) Greek The personification of justice, particularly under the law. Dike was a daughter of Zeus and Themis. As one of the three Horae, guardians of the seasons, Dike was the sister of Eirene (Peace) and Eunomia (Order). She was the mother of Hesychia (Quiet, Tranquility). Dike was the avowed enemy of falsehood and protected the fair treatment of people by the laws of society. She often served as an emissary and counselor for the great god Zeus. He would send her among mankind to watch them closely and report back to him on their crimes, their poor behavior, and their injustice to one another. After hearing of their indiscretions, Zeus would punish them. Dike watched judges very carefully and sought the help of Zeus in punishing them for acts of unfairness. She carried a sword with which to pierce the hearts of the unjust. Her counterpart was Adicia (Injustice), whom Dike is often portrayed as beating with a club. As a member of the Horae, Dike helped watch over the four seasons, aiding farmers, helping them meet the agricultural needs of society, bringing prosperity to mankind. The sisters' names all relate to social order and the development of lawfulness, a concept that was closely related to farming in classical mythology, showing the importance of agriculture to society. Some modern scholars identify Dike as the same as the goddess Astraea, for both ruled over justice. However, others see Dike as distinct from Astraea, with distinct stories for each in Greek mythology.