Momus (Greek:μῶμος) was the daimon (spirit) of satire, blame, scorn, mockery, and criticism, and the patron of writers and poets. Due to his selective nature, he was also regarded as a god of censure. His Roman counterpart is Querella.
Etymology[]
His name is related to μομφή, meaning 'blame' or 'censure'.
In mythology[]
Hesiod said that Momus was a son of Night (Nyx). He mocked Hephaestus, Lucian of Samosata recalled, for having made mankind without doors in their breast, through which their thoughts could be seen. He even mocked Aphrodite, though all he could find was that she was talkative and had creaky sandals. He even found fit to mock Zeus, saying he is a violent god and lusts for woman, giving birth to two villainous sons equal to him in disgust (works of Apollonius Molon). Because of his constant criticism, he was exiled from Mt. Olympus.
Momus is featured in one of Aesop's fables, where he is to judge the handiwork of three gods (the gods vary depending on the version). However, he is jealous of what they have done and derides all of their creations. He is then banished from Olympus by Zeus for his jealousy.
Imagery[]
Momus is often pictured as lifting a mask from his face.