The Fates are in charge of the destinies of all beings, including heroines and heroes. The three old women, Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos, are the string that represents these destinies. One determines the length of life, one spins the string representing life, and one would cut the string when that life was done. The goddesses were believed to be the three daughters of Zeus and Themis, and more powerful. The Fates appear in several myths, such as Perseus, who tricks them, and even some deities feared them.