In Greek mythology, Eucleia or Eukleia (Ancient Greek: Ευκλεία) was the feminine personification of honor, glory, and good repute.^[1]

Along with her sisters, Eupheme, Euthenia and Philophrosyne, she was a member of the younger Charites.^[2] According to Plutarch, Eucleia was also used as an epithet of Artemis.^[3]

According to an Orphic rhapsody fragment, Eucleia's parents were Hephaestus and Aglaia.^[4] Alternatively, Plutarch stated that Eucleia was sometimes considered a separate goddess and the daughter of Heracles and Myrto, and as she died a virgin, she came to be venerated as a goddess.^[3]

In Greek vase paintings, particularly from 5th century Athens, Eucleia is frequently shown among the attendants of Aphrodite, where she represents the good repute of a chaste bride or is performing stereotypically feminine tasks.^[5][1] She was also referred by ancient Greek author Bacchylides as "garland-loving".^[6]

Eucleia was worshipped in Locris and Boeotia.^[7] Plutarch states that all cities in these areas had an image and altar of her, and this is where brides and grooms would perform a sacrifice.^[3] At Thebes, her statue was created by Skopas.^[8] In Athens, a temple was dedicated to Artemis-Eucleia in honor of those who fought in the Battle of Marathon, which is referenced by Greek author Plutarch and Roman geographer Pausanias.^[3][9] It is likely that Eucleia was worshipped together with Eunomia at Athens, as they were served by one priest.^[10]

In Paros and Epiros, military generals (stratêgoi) offered dedications to Eucleia along with Aphrodite, Zeus (Aphrodisios), Hermes, and Artemis.^[11]

There was a sanctuary dedicated to Eucleia at Aigai (Aegae), the ancient capital of Macedonia.^[12] The sanctuary consisted of a 4th-century Doric temple, a small Hellenistic era temple, and two stoas.^[8] At least two statue bases were votive offerings by Eurydice, paternal grandmother of Alexander the Great; it has been suggested that these offerings were made to commemorate Philip II's victory at Chaeronea in 338 B.C.E.^[8] It is possible that there was a statue of Eucliea in the sanctuary.^[8] In the area surround the sanctuary, at least three burials of significant people, who were crowned with golden oak leaf wreathes, have been discovered.^[13]

• Borza, Eugene, In the Shadow of Olympus: The Emergence of Macedon, Princeton University Press, 1992. ISBN 0-691-05549-1.
• Kern, Otto, Orphicorum Fragmenta, Berlin, 1922. Scans at the Internet Archive, English translation at HellenicGods.org.
• Smith, William; Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, London (1873). "Eucleia"