Nemesis

**Nemesis Greek Goddess of Indignation and Retribution** Created by Maggie Glass

**__ KEY FACTS __**
 * Goddess of Indignation and Retribution
 * Daughter of Night
 * She fought with Tyche the god of Luck and Fortune
 * Usually pictured with a branch of ash tree in her left hand and a wheel and sword in the right hand
 * Hated and feared by most
 * Name means "dispenser of dues"
 * Punished people for being too happy or satisfied
 * Believed that one cannot experience too much good fortune without having a punishment

 **Background ** Nemesis was known to be the daughter of Night though some call her the daughter of Erebus or Oceanus. She had two sets of twins Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, and the Dioscuri and Polydeukes. Nemesis was the goddess of indignation against, and retribution for, evil deeds and undeserved good fortune. This goddess was thought to be the creator of an equilibrium for the people... she measures out happiness and unhappiness. He who is blessed with too many or too frequent gifts of good fortune, is paid a visit from her with losses and sufferings. The intentions behind her visiting them were so that he may become humble, and feel that there are bounds beyond which human happiness cannot go on without getting punished for. Most believe that gods were envious of excessive human happiness, and Nemesis was the main goddess involved evening out the happiness inside all mankind.

**Name ** Being true to her name, Nemesis derived from the Greek words //nemêsis// and //nemô//, meaning "dispenser of dues." Sometimes she is also referred to as Rhamnousia, because her sanctuary was located in Rhamnous, north of Marathon. organized This goddess took her role very serious, being feared and hated by most. Nemesis's calling in life to make sure all men had the same amount of fortune as misfortune. Also meaning keeping an eye on Tyche (god of luck and fortune) who gave out luck often and freely. Most of the time, told by the stories, Tyche loved to share his luck and fortune with the humans who were either deserving or even undeserving. For this the gods got mad, and it was Nemesis's job to keep him in line. Tyche would often become full of himself, and boast, when such situations arrived Nemesis shoved him back in his place, embarrassing and dwindling him all the way down to nothing. This being so... Nemesis and Tyche were not usually on good terms.
 * Story **

Nemesis is usually shown in her statue having a thoughtful standing attitude, in her left hand she holds a bridle or a branch of an ash tree, and in her right a wheel, with a sword or a scourge. Usually shown in a victorious or ruling setting, Nemesis stood strong and confident in most pictures and statues. 
 * Nemesis Displayed ** [[image:nemes03b.jpg width="228" height="341" align="right"]]

In today's day, the term "Nemesis" is thought of to be ones worst enemy. Usually someone who is the exact opposite of oneself. The word in the dictionary connects Nemesis with the phrases.... One's Nemesis is one who will bring on one's destruction or downfall.
 * Present Day** 
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">source of harm or ruin
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">retribution justice in its execution or outcome
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">one that inflicts vengeance
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">something causing misery or death



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