The
Muses ( Mousai; perhaps from the o-grade of the Proto-Indo-European root *men- "think") in Greek mythology are the goddesses of the inspiration of
literature,
science, and
the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, song-lyrics, and myths that were related orally for centuries in these ancient cultures. They were later adopted by the Romans as a part of their pantheon.