Nemesis

Keeper of cosmic equilibrium, the final balance of the universe. This is the role of Nemesis. The embodiment of divine justice, she ensures that every action begets its rightful consequence. Her presence is felt in every twist of fate and turn of fortune, the judge of the karmic scale. 

Nemesis finds herself called upon often. She is invoked by those seeking redress for perceived wrongs, looking for her hand to guide the scales of justice to a perfect balance. Many gladiators spoke a hymn to the goddess before facing the brutality of the arena. Never was she called upon to weigh the scales in favor of one or the other – only for a fair fight. 

Nemesis embodies the inevitably of fate. She is often found referred to as “Nemesis Adrasteia” – from whom there is no escape. Though the universe’s tides may ebb and flow, all must eventually succumb to the center. Her name strikes fear into the hearts of gods and mortals alike, for none can evade the judgment of Nemesis. 

Her power is best represented by her role in the Epic of Dionysiaca, penned by Nonnus. The tale of Nemesis unfolds in a web of divine intrigue and revenge. Aura, an attendant of the goddess Artemis, began to question her mistress, a move that would ultimately destroy the girl. 

Aura was herself a virgin, just as Artemis and all her devotees had sworn to be. Aura began to think the goddess a hypocrite, though, believing that Artemis could not have remained a virgin all this time with a figure so divine. The curves of her hips, the heft of her bosom, Aura believed it too beautiful for any man to resist. Artemis must have been lying. 

Should the questioning of Artemis not have been enough to bring divine retribution upon Aura, she continued, stating her own superiority over the goddess. She believed her boyish figure and lean silhouette allowed her to keep her vow more vigilantly. This claim, Artemis did not take lightly, and called upon Nemesis to right the wrongs befallen to her. Promising retribution for Aura’s ignorant claims, Nemesis orchestrated a plan that would forever alter the course of fate. 

Nemesis, with the assistance of Eros, set in motion a series of events that would lead to Aura’s downfall. Struck by an arrow fired by Eros, Dionysus fell madly in love with Aura. Though she rebuffed his advances, her denial was to no avail. Dionysus was stricken with desire for the girl, and intoxicated by power. His lust would be satiated regardless of Aura’s pleas. 

Dionysus captured Aura and violated her, stripping her of the virginity she held so dear. In this tale, much like many others, the hand of Nemesis is unseen but ever-present. She guides the threads of destiny to their inevitable conclusion, the plan she laid playing out perfectly each and every time. She ensures no transgression goes unpunished, no injustice unavenged. In the realm of Nemesis, balance is the ultimate decree, and retribution is the currency of fate.