The Parcae, in Roman mythology, were the personifications of destiny (often called The Fates in English). Their Greek equivalent were the Moirae. They controlled the metaphorical thread of life of every mortal and immortal from birth to death. Even the gods feared the Parcae. Jupiter also was subject to their power. The names of the three Parcae were: Nona - spun the thread of life from her distaff onto her spindle. Her Greek equivalent was Clotho; Decima - measured the thread of life with her rod. Her Greek equivalent was Lachesis; Morta - was the cutter of the thread of life. She chose the manner of a person's death. Her Greek equivalent was Atropos. ..Scanned steel engraving from "A Pictorial History of the World's Greatest Nations" (Author, Charlotte M. Yonge - Engraver, A.H. Payne - Publisher, Selmer Hess [NY] - 1882).