The Fates Facts & Worksheets

The three sisters, known as the Fates, or Moirae, decided the fate of every living creature in ancient Greece. They resided in the underworld even though they were in command of everything that was living.

See the fact file below for more information on The Fates, or you can download our 25-page The Fates worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGIN OF THE FATES

• The Fates, sometimes referred to as the Moirai in Greek mythology which means “allotted person” or “share”, are symbolic of destiny in the ancient Greek universe. 
• Ancient Greeks frequently gave physical form to deities and gods to express and clarify abstract concepts. The Fates were, in a sense, more than just a way to symbolize destiny because they had power over it.
• They were in charge of managing various aspects of people’s lives from the time of their birth until they passed away.
• Humans still had free will, but the Fates were aware of each person’s eventual decisions and deeds.
• A person’s response to and ability to handle life’s trials would determine how they were judged in the afterlife, rather than whatever good deeds they had performed.
• Greek mythology’s three Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, each played a unique part in weaving the destiny of humanity.

THE FATES – CLOTHO

• Clotho – The youngest of the three goddesses, Clotho, often known as the “Spinner,” was tasked with spinning a person’s life story while they were still in the womb. 
• Greek mythology frequently depicts ethereal destiny through textile metaphors. Both in art and in descriptions, the metaphor frequently refers to the weaving of threads on a loom or, in certain circumstances, the spinning of fibers into yarn.
• Clotho had a very big role in numerous mythologies. She persuaded Zeus to kill Asclepius and assisted Hermes in the creation of the alphabet. In an effort to mislead Clotho into resurrecting her husband, Admetus, Alcestis once made her intoxicated.
• In the field of microbiology, Kuro-o et al discovered the Klotho protein in 1997 at the National Institute of Neuroscience in Tokyo.

THE FATES – LACHESIS

• Lachesis – The second of the Moirai, or Fates, was tasked with measuring the length of a person’s life. 
• Her name translates to “the Allotter,” which is appropriate given that she is the one who assigns each soul a part of earthly life. 
• Lachesis would decide a person’s lifespan and, consequently, the number of trials they would experience. The fate of each soul was contained inside the thread.
• Lachesis effectively determined how long each mortal got to live because of her job in measuring cloth. 
• The activities that mortals were allowed to do during their lifetimes were largely determined by her position in checking the fabric. 
• It was believed that three days after a child was born, Lachesis would decide the kid’s fate and determine the course of their life.

THE FATES – ATROPOS

• Atropos – Atropos, the third sister, was the most obstinate of the Fates, and her name translates as “the un-turnable” or “she who cannot be turned.” The fateful thread was cut by Atropos, and mortal life came to an end at that very location.
• Atropos is thus comparable to a person dying. A soul would then undergo the cut, be sent to the Underworld for judgment, and then be sent to Elysium, the Fields of Punishment, or the Fields of Asphodel.
• Atropos deals with life’s unavoidable and uncontrollable circumstances. Her primary concern was death, which is a universal reality for all living things. 
• Atropos had the final say in how and when mortals will pass away because of her involvement in creating life.

POPULAR CULTURE

• The Moirai were portrayed as ancient, unattractive, and occasionally lame women. They were stern, rigid, and severe. Lachesis uses her staff to point to the horoscope on a globe, Clotho carries a spindle or a roll (the book of fate), and Atropos (Aisa) holds a scroll, a wax tablet, a sundial, a pair of scales, or a cutting tool.
• Other times, the three were depicted with staffs or scepters, which are emblems of dominion, or even crowns. They first appeared spinning, measuring, and cutting the thread of life at the birth of every man.
• The Moirae are still depicted in contemporary pop culture, where they are most frequently referred to as the “Fates.” 
• The Moirae have appeared in literature in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan (2005–2009), The Sandman graphic novel series by Neil Gaiman (1989–), and Insomnia by Stephen King (1994). 
• The Moirae have made appearances in popular visual culture in movies like Hercules from 1997 and TV episodes like Xena: Warrior Princess and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Additionally, they appear in the video game God of War 2.

THE FATES – STORY OF MELEAGER AND ALTHEA

• Meleager was the child of Althaea and King Oeneus of Calydon. The Fates appeared to predict his future seven days after his birth. He would be valiant and honorable, as predicted by Clotho and Lachesis. Atropos informed him that as soon as one of the fireplace’s sticks burnt fully, he would perish.
• Althaea heeded the advice and removed the stick from the flames, extinguished it, and hid it away. 
• He quickly had a reputation for having skills that Heracles and only he possessed. He was the eldest Argonaut, and some claim that he was responsible for the death of the group’s main foe, King Aeetes of Colchis.
• Following Meleager’s return from the trip, he wed Cleopatra and had a daughter named Polydora.
• When Artemis let out a terrifying boar in his country, his household tranquility came to an end. He naturally assumed the initiative in what became known as the Calydonian Boar Hunt, which resulted in the death of the boar.
• There are two different stories of Meleager’s death, and both of them begin with a dispute with his relatives over the valuable pig skin. Althaea was married to Oeneus in order to put an end to a possible generations-long blood feud, which is crucial to comprehend what transpired. 
• There would have been a great deal of conflict between them, the Calydonians and Althaea’s brothers, even though his uncles had come to assist with the boar. 
• In the first version: 
  • A dispute over the reward sparked a fresh conflict between Curetes and Calydon. Meleager was in a horrible situation because he had family on both sides as a result of this. Without his guidance, Calydon was in danger of failing. He was urged to save the city by his wife. 
  • He did, however, slaughter his uncles while heading to Calydon. His mother then cursed him and may have burned the last stick the Fates had mentioned. The Erinyes later executed him in retaliation for his murder of family members. 
• The more romantic version: 
  • Meleager’s death began after giving Atlanta the reward because she struck first. The rest of the hunting group was incensed that a woman received the reward, but they mostly kept quiet. 
  • But his uncles believed that because of their status, they could command Meleager. They got into an argument, and Meleager ended up killing his uncles. 
  • After learning that Meleager had killed her brothers with his own hands, her brother’s mother cursed him to death. Meleager perished and Althaea committed suicide out of guilt. Then, motivated by grief, Cleopatra also committed suicide.

The Fates Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about The Fates across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about The Fates, a group of three goddesses who controlled the destiny and fate of all living beings, including gods and mortals.

Download includes the following worksheets

• The Fates (Greek Mythology) Facts
• Summary of the Fates
• Working with Fates
• The Beginning of Life
• Greek Alphabet
• The Length of Time
• The Value of Time
• Time for Fun
• The Future
• Defining My Life
• Time Representations

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Fates, and what was their role in Greek mythology?

The origins of the Fates are unclear, but they were believed to be daughters of Nyx, the goddess of night, or Zeus and Themis, the goddess of divine law and order. According to some legends, the Fates were present at the birth of the universe and helped shape its destiny.

How did the Fates come into existence?

The origins of the Fates are unclear, but they were believed to be daughters of Nyx, the goddess of night, or Zeus and Themis, the goddess of divine law and order. According to some legends, the Fates were present at the birth of the universe and helped shape its destiny.

Could the Fates be swayed or changed in their decisions?

No, the Fates’ decisions could not be changed or altered, even by the gods themselves. The Fates were seen as the arbiters of destiny, and their decrees were final and unchangeable. Even if a person or god tried to alter their fate, it would only result in a worse outcome.

What was the significance of the Fates in Greek culture?

The Fates were seen as a powerful force in Greek culture, representing the inevitability of fate and the importance of accepting one’s destiny. They were often depicted in art and literature, and their influence can be seen in various Greek myths and legends.

Did the Fates only control the destiny of mortals, or did they have power over the gods as well?

The Fates had power over both mortals and gods, and even the most powerful gods were subject to their decrees. In fact, several Greek myths tell of gods trying to change the fate of mortals, only to be thwarted by the Fates. The Fates were considered to be above all beings, and their power was absolute.

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