134 Sophrosyne period of with a variation amplitude of in magnitude. This provided a good match to the only previous determination in 1989. 134 Sophrosyne Sophrosyne (minor planet designation: 134 Sophrosyne) is a large main-belt asteroid that was discovered by German astronomer Robert Luther on September 27, 1873, and was named after the concept of "sophrosyne", Plato's term for 'moderation'. Classified as a C-type asteroid, it has an exceedingly dark surface and most probably a primitive carbonaceous composition. An occultation of a star by 134 Sophrosyne was observed November 24, 1980, in the United States. Timing information from this event allowed a
Sophrosyne Homer's "Odyssey", Odysseus avoids being turned by Circe the enchantress into an animal by means of a magical herb, moly (symbolizing, by some accounts, sophrosyne), given to him by Athena (Wisdom) and Hermes (Reason). Heraclitus's fragment 112 states: "Sophrosyne is the greatest virtue, and wisdom is speaking and acting the truth, paying heed to the nature of things." (σωφρονεῖν ἀρετὴ μεγίστη, καὶ σοφίη ἀληθέα λέγειν καὶ ποιεῖν κατὰ φύσιν ἐπαίοντας.) Themes connected with "sophrosyne" and hubris figure prominently in plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; "sophrosyne" is recognized as a virtue, although debased forms like prudery are criticized. Sophrosyne is