MUSES The personification of the fine arts by the Greeks, the nine Muses were said to be nymphs of the springs that splashed down the slopes of Mount Parnassos. Their mother was the Titan nymph Mnemosyne, and their father Zeus. The Muses generally lived around the summit of Mount Helikon, Parnassos and Pindos, but they often visited Olympus, entertaining the gods and goddesses. They sometimes performed at weddings of auspicious note, such as that of Kadmos and Harmonia;and appeared once in a while at events of tragic sorrow, such as the death of Achilles. Their leader was Apollo, though they also accompanied Dionysos.