Unchanged by any teller — how the centuries since have seen Themis.
The gallery
Themis of Rhamnous
Chairestratos, c. 300 BC
Marble cult statue of Themis sculpted by Chairestratos, discovered in the goddess's small temple at Rhamnous in Attica and now in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. The goddess of divine law and right order stands draped in chiton and himation, her base preserving the sculptor's signature.
Deucalion and Pyrrha Praying before the Statue of Themis
Jacopo Tintoretto, c. 1542
Tintoretto's flood survivors kneel before the cult image of Themis — the goddess of right counsel who tells them to cast their mother's bones (the stones of Earth) behind them and remake humankind.
Allegory of Justice – Themis
Marcello Bacciarelli, c. 1792
Bacciarelli's Warsaw allegory: Themis as Justice with scales and sword — divine order translated into the Enlightenment courtroom's emblem.
Themis
Marcello Bacciarelli, 18th century
Another Bacciarelli Themis from the Polish royal cycle: the titaness of sacred custom enthroned as law's personification — scales, gaze, and classical drapery for a modern throne room.
In play
Lady Justice
Courthouse statues of blindfolded Justice descend from Themis and her Roman heir Justitia — divine order turned into the scales of law.
Themis
Legal and philosophical English still reaches for Themis when it needs a name for sacred custom and right order older than statute.