Phineus
The blinded seer tormented by Harpies who answers rescue with route-guiding prophecy.
Overview
Phineus turns information into a critical expedition resource. He cannot disclose everything Zeus forbids him to reveal, but he converts the future into practical navigation: release a dove, observe the loss of tail feathers, then decide when the whole ship must sprint.
Key facts
Every meal destroyed
The Harpies seize or foul Phineus’ food whenever he tries to eat, leaving the seer starving.
The dove test
Phineus instructs the crew to send a dove through the Clashing Rocks and use its passage to judge whether to row.
Relationships
- Harpiesseize and foul food
The Harpies ruin Phineus’ food whenever he eats, leaving him starving.
- Argonaut Expeditionprovides route prophecy
After rescue, Phineus turns future dangers into usable stage-by-stage navigation.
- Symplegadesexplains the dove test
Phineus directs the crew to release a dove and use its result to decide whether to rush the rocks.
Story appearances
- The ArgonautsPhineus in the Argonaut expedition
Phineus 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.