Graeae
Three ancient sisters who shared one eye and one tooth among them, coerced by Perseus into revealing the location of the Gorgons.
The Myth of Graeae
Three sisters shared a single eye — and Perseus snatched it mid-handoff, holding their only vision hostage. The Graeae (Enyo, Pemphredo, and Deino) were sisters of the Gorgons, born old, sharing one eye and one tooth that they passed between them. Perseus needed them to reveal the location of the nymphs who held the cap of invisibility, winged sandals, and kibisis (magic bag). He waited until the moment one sister removed the eye to pass it, intercepted it, and refused to return it until they told him what he needed. It was Odysseus-level cunning. Athena or Hermes told him the trick. The Graeae may represent the progressive loss of faculties in old age — sight and teeth failing until they are shared.
Parents
Phorcys, Ceto
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Graeae's shared eye may be the oldest hostage-negotiation story in Western literature.
Explore Further
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