She Who Cannot Be Turned
Atropos, who was the oldest of the three Fates, was also known as the Inevitable. She was closely related to death since it was Atropos who would choose the mechanism of death. It was her task to end the life of mortals by cutting their thread. She is most frequently represented with scales, a sundial, or a cutting instrument. She led the Moirai and had the final say in their decisions, such as in the case of Meleager.
Atropos in the 6th Age
“The gods were moved; but none can break the ancient Sisters’ iron decrees.”
Ovid
Court of the Moirai
Nay, as Fate does not abruptly interfere in human affairs, but avails herself of intermediate causes, and determines the lot of mortals not absolutely, but only conditionally, even man himself, in his freedom, is allowed to exercise a certain influence upon her.
Homer
The Moirai were independent from the ruling brothers’ kingdoms. They sat at the helm of necessity to direct fate, and watched that what they decreed might take its course without obstruction. Zeus, as well as the other gods and mortal man, had to submit to them. Lakhesis represented the things that were, Klotho the things that are, and Atropos the things that are to be. The Sisters attended to the thrones of both Zeus and Hades, and their ministers were all soothsayers and oracles. Though their identities were not unknown, the Sisters were nearly always veiled when they went about their work. Thus the sight of a veiled Fate was a fearsome one indeed.
See: The Moirai
Associations
- Lakhesis, Apportioner of Lots
- Klotho, The Spinner
- Hades, Ruler of the Underworld
- Zeus, Ruler of the Gods
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