Recently, there has been speculation as to what certain figures seen flying through the air could be. Some have speculated that they are birds, but this idea was abandoned when someone got a closer view. Some speculated that they were planes, but then everyone realized that we do not know what a plane is either. Finally, it was determined that these mysterious beings are harpies.

These harpies or "Harpyiai (theoi.com)" are quite unusual and frightful beings. They are either described as winged women with," beautiful hair and feathers on their shoulders but with crooked claws (archaeonia.com)," or as having a female upper body with the body and legs of a bird. Bulfinch described them as being, "disgusting birds with the heads of maidens, with long claws and faces pale with hunger." Their name, Harpy, even means snatchers or robbers (Archaeonia.com). They no doubt strike fear in all who encounter them.

We are not certain as to how many harpies there actually are. We are certain that there are at least two, but possibly as many as four harpies. There was even an account of a flock of them (Bulfinch), but this does not include a specific number. It is certain that there are two named Aello (which means Stormwind) and Okypete (or Ocypete; which means Swiftwind). There are possibly (likely) two more harpies, Kelaino (or Celaeno; which means Dark) and Podarge (which means Fleet-Foot).

Also, the harpy Podarge has been rumored to have given birth by Zephyr (the West Wind) to Xanthus and Balius, Achilles beautiful stallions (Occultopedia.com). It is also possible that she is the mother of Dioskouros' steeds Flogeus and Arpagus (Archaeonia.com). We are not sure why these bird-women would give birth to horses, but they are equated with "action, perpetual movement and speed (Archaeonia.com)."

It is also not certain where they came from. They are possibly the offspring of Poseidon (god of the sea and earthquakes), Typhoeas (a half-human a half-reptile giant with one hundred dragon heads), Thaumas (sea-god) and Electra, or Thaumas and Ozomene. There is more evidence that they are the children of Thaumas and Electra. For example, Apollodorus 1.10 says that, "Thaumas and Elektra has Iris and the Harpyiai named Aello and Okypete (theoi.com)." Also, the Hyginus Preface says, "From Thaumas and Electra: Iris, Harpyiae Celaeno, Ocypete, Podarce (theoi.com). This indicates that the most likely parents of the harpies are Thaumas and Electra. Strangely, it has been suggested that they are the sisters of Iris (personification of the rainbow; wife of Zephyr) (Archaeonia.com). This is strange because Iris is not seen as evil, while the harpies are. Also, it is Iris' husband who is the suggested father of Podarge's children.

Their purpose is one thing that has been determined. It has been agreed that they are servants of Hades. They are sent to bring more souls to Tartarous. They were also sent by the gods to torment Phineus. When Phineus, who was blinded by Zeus (or Jupiter) for his cruelty, had received a meal, the harpies would come down and snatch his food. Two of the Argonauts, Zetes and Calais, who were known as the Boreads, drove them away to an island where Aeneas found them (Bulfinch's). These islands are known as the Plotes Islands or Stophades. The harpies then hid in a cave in Crete (Archaeonia.com).

The harpies also harmed the daughters of King Pandareos. His daughters were favored by Aphrodite. When she left them alone, the harpies snatched them and gave them to the Erinyes (Fates) (ARchaeonia.com).

These vile creatures are also associated with storms, wind, and ghosts. This includes hurricanes. It is believed that when a person is lost at sea, it is the fault of the harpies. They are considered to be goddesses of wind and death spirits (Archaeonia.com).

These harpies are frightful beasts. If you see a harpy approaching, it is certain you will be carried away. If it were not for the Boreads, we might still have them to fear. However, since they have been driven away, we should be safe for now.

The Harpies. 16 March 2004. <http://www.archaeonia.com/religion/deities/harpies.htm>.

The Harpies. Bulfinch's Mythology. 13 March 2004. <http://www.bulfinch.org/fables/bull31.html>.

Harpy. Occultopedia. 16 March 2004. <http://www.occultopedia.com/h/harpy.htm.>

The Harpyiai. 20 March 2004. <http://www.theoi.com/Pontos/Harpyiai.html.>

Harris, Stephen L. and Platzner, Gloria. ed. Classical Mythology: Images & Insights 3rd ed. London: Mayfield Publishing Company, 2001.