Harpies
The winged beings who seize or foul Phineus’ food and finally stop under a guarantee.
Overview
Apollonius does not have the Boreads kill the Harpies. When they are overtaken, Iris intervenes and guarantees that they will no longer harm Phineus; the pursuit ends through a boundary and oath.
Key facts
Seizing and fouling food
They descend when food is placed before Phineus and prevent him from eating normally.
Not killed in the selected version
Iris’ guarantee ends the chase and they promise not to return against Phineus.
Relationships
- Phineusseize and foul food
The Harpies ruin Phineus’ food whenever he eats, leaving him starving.
- Zetespursues and drives away
Zetes overtakes the Harpies until Iris ends the pursuit with a guarantee.
- Calaispursues and drives away
Calais joins his brother in preventing the Harpies from returning to Phineus’ table.
Story appearances
- The ArgonautsHarpies in the Argonaut expedition
Harpies enters this story through the Argonaut expedition; other versions are handled where their own episodes call for them.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.