In Greek mythology, the Horae (hours) were the three goddesses of the seasons, for the Greeks only recognized spring, summer and winter. They were daughters of Zeus and Themis.
There were two generations of Horae: (note: this does not refer to "generation" in the traditional sense of the second group being offspring of the first; earlier writers recognized the first generation and later authors subscribed to the second.)
The first generation were nature goddesses who controlled the growth of plants; the second generation were law and order goddesses who maintained the stability of society.
