Die Horen (Morawietz)

Die Horen is a literary anthology founded in 1795 by Friedrich Schiller and published by Johann Friedrich Cotta in Tübingen, Germany. It served as a leading voice for Weimar Classicism and aimed to disseminate its ideals of aesthetic education and enlightenment. The journal's name, Die Horen, references the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons in Greek mythology, symbolizing order, harmony, and beauty.

The anthology published works by prominent figures of the time, including Goethe, Herder, Hölderlin (initially), and Kant. It featured essays, poems, and dramas, often exploring themes of reason, virtue, and the role of art in shaping society. Schiller's influential "Letters on the Aesthetic Education of Man" were initially serialized in Die Horen.

Despite its high literary quality and influential contributors, Die Horen faced challenges during its run. While it attracted a discerning readership, its focus on philosophical and aesthetic debates sometimes limited its broader appeal. Differences in opinion and approaches between Schiller and other key figures, notably Goethe, also contributed to internal tensions. The publication ceased in 1797.

Later, the literary estate of Kurt Morawietz, a German author and literary scholar, acquired the rights to the title and archives. Morawietz significantly influenced the scholarly understanding and appreciation of Die Horen through his research and publications. He contributed to re-establishing the historical significance of the journal in German literary history.