Ate was a mythological deity who induced both gods and men alike into rash decisions.
She was even able to deceive Zeus. On the day of Heracles’ expected birth (Zeus’ son by Alcmene), Ate convinced Zeus to take an oath that any child born of his lineage on that day would rule other men. Hera heard this and implored her daughter Eileithya—goddess of childbirth—to delay Heracles’ birth and hasten the birth of Eurystheus who would fulfill the oath instead of Heracles. When Zeus realized the suffering his rashness had caused he hurled Ate from Olympus and banished her from the abodes of gods.