Parcae, the three sisters, Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos, the same as the Fates in Pagan theology, according to which they were the daughters of Night, and employed together in dispensing the thread of human life; the first holding the distaff; the second spinning the length of each mortal's existence to its destined termination; the third cutting the thread; that is to say, awarding death at the appointed time.
Procopius mentions a temple erected to the Parcae at Rome; and that it was erected in the reign of Diocletian seems probable from the gold coins of that Emperor and his colleague Val. Maximianus, inscribed FATIS VICTRICIBVS, and on which three Parcae stand, each holding a torch on a rudder in their right hands joined together; for the Romans were accustomed to call the Parcae by the name of Fata, and to give them the title of Dominae and Victrices; as they spoke of Venus Victrix, and Diana Victrix.