At the same time her handmaids bustled through the halls,
four in all who perform the goddess’ household tasks:
nymphs, daughters born of the springs and groves
and the sacred rivers running down to open sea.
One draped the chairs with fine crimson covers
over the seats she’d spread with linen cloths below.
A second drew up silver tables before the chairs
and laid out golden trays to hold the bread.
A third mulled heady, heart-warming wine
in a silver bowl and set out golden cups.
A fourth brought water and lit a blazing fire
beneath a massive cauldron.
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 10, lines 386-397. There is a hierarchy of deities in play here. While Circe is the lady of the house, she has four nymphs who serve under her and perform all her domestic tasks. These lesser female deities help paint a scene of domestic luxury and comfort, as they mull wine in a silver bowl, spread linen clothes over chairs, set up tables with golden trays of bread, and heat up water in a huge cauldron. But let us not forget: Circe’s house is a dangerous place for a visitor, especially if you’re a man.