In Greek mythology, Pheme (Φημη) (Roman equivalent: Fama) was the personification of fame and renown. She was a daughter of Gaia, was described as "she who initiates and furthers communication" and had an altar at Athens.
A tremendous gossip, Pheme was said to have pried into the affairs of mortals and gods, then repeated what she learned until everyone knew.
In art, she was usually depicted with wings and a trumpet.
In Roman mythology, Fama ("rumor") was described as having multiple tongues, eyes, ears and feathers by Virgil and other authors. She is also described as living in a home with 1000 windows so she could hear all being said in the world. Virgil wrote that she "had her feet on the ground, and her head in the clouds, making the small seem great and the great seem greater."
Linguistic associations
The Greek word pheme (fay'-may) translates to English as "voice", "speak", or "speech" depending on its context. English words such as fame are also born from the Latin word fama ("report"), similar to the Latin fari ("to speak.")
Homer does not personify Pheme, which is merely a presage drawn from human utterances, whereas Ossa (until later times) is associated with the idea of divine origin.
A more definite character is given to Pheme by Hesiod (Works and Days, 764), who calls her a goddess; in Sophocles (Oed.
II, 7), whose inhabitants were especially fond of seeking the aid of divination, there was a sanctuary of Cledones (sounds or rumours supposed to convey omens).
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