Erinyes
Three terrifying goddesses who punished those guilty of murder, oath-breaking, and crimes against family. Also called the Furies or, euphemistically, the Eumenides.
The Meaning of Erinyes
The Erinyes — Alecto (Unceasing), Megaera (Grudging), and Tisiphone (Vengeful Destruction) — were born from the blood of Ouranos when Kronos castrated him. They were ancient, predating the Olympians, and answered to no god.
Depicted as fearsome women with snakes in their hair and blood dripping from their eyes, the Erinyes pursued those guilty of crimes against the natural order: murder (especially of family members), violation of oaths, and offenses against parents. Their victims were driven mad with guilt before being dragged to punishment.
The most famous pursuit was their hounding of Orestes after he killed his mother Clytemnestra to avenge his father Agamemnon. Orestes was tried in Athens before a jury of citizens, with Apollo as his defender and the Erinyes as prosecutors. Athena cast the deciding vote to acquit him, then persuaded the Furies to accept a new role as the Eumenides (the "Kindly Ones"), guardians of justice rather than agents of vengeance.
Parents
Born from the blood of Ouranos
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Greeks avoided saying "Erinyes" aloud, fearing it would attract their attention. Instead they used the euphemism "Eumenides" — the Kindly Ones.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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