Harpies in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Harpies

5 passages from 4 ancient authors that tell of Harpies, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. The Harpies were mythical monsters in Greek mythology, having the form of a bird and a human face. They carried evildoers to be punished by the Erinye... For the story in one place, read our article on Harpies.

Hesiod (2)

Hesiod, Fragments 1.30–49Arcadia and the voyage of the ArgonautsThe first fragments name Pelasgus and Lycaon and the Arcadian sons of Lycaon. Most of the section concerns the Argo, with Phrixus and the ram, Phineus blinded for revealing the future, the Harpies, and the Argonauts' journey through Ocean and Libya.
Hesiod, Theogony 265–304Iris, the Harpies, the Graiai, Gorgons and Echidna (265-304)Thaumas and Electra have Iris and the Harpies, and Phorcys and Ceto have the Graiai and the Gorgons. Poseidon lies with Medusa, and when Perseus cuts off her head Chrysaor and the horse Pegasus spring forth; Chrysaor has the three-headed Geryon, whom Heracles kills. The section ends with Echidna, the monstrous child of Ceto and Phorcys, half nymph and half huge snake, who lives in a cave in Arima.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.16–22Jason and the Argonauts: the voyage to PhineusPelias is warned against the man with one sandal and sends Jason to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Argus builds the Argo, the crew is listed, and the ship calls at Lemnos, at the land of the Doliones where Cyzicus is killed by mistake, and at Mysia, where Hylas is lost and Heracles is left behind. Polydeuces kills Amycus of the Bebryces, and at Salmydessus Zetes and Calais drive the Harpies from the seer Phineus, who tells the crew how to pass the Clashing Rocks.

Apollonius Rhodius (1)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.178–300Phineus and the HarpiesPhineus tells the heroes how Zeus blinded him for misusing his gift of prophecy, and how the Harpies snatch his food. Zetes and Calais, the sons of Boreas, chase the Harpies away from his table, and Iris stops them from killing them by swearing on the Styx that the Harpies will not trouble Phineus again.

Ovid (1)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.1–158Jason and MedeaThe Argonauts, after freeing King Phineus from the Harpies, reach Colchis, and Jason demands the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes, who sets him impossible tasks. Medea, the king's daughter, falls in love with the stranger, torn between love and duty, and at last gives way, deciding to save him if he will swear to marry her. She gives him a charm to protect him against the fire-breathing bulls, and he yokes them, ploughs the field, sows the dragon's teeth, and kills the armed men that spring from them by throwing a stone among them. Medea then lulls the dragon to sleep, and Jason takes the fleece and sails away with her to Iolcus.