Harpies - Les Monstres Ailés de la Mythologie Grecque - Histoire et Mythologie en BD

The harpy is a winged creature and its origin is found in Greek mythology. It would be a hybrid between a woman and a bird of prey. Harpies had the head and breasts of a woman and the wings and claws of an eagle. These creatures were generally represented in two very distinct ways. In one of them, the harpies would be beautiful women with bird bodies, which would have a great power of seduction like mermaids. They kidnapped the body of beautiful young men and maintained a carnal conjunction with them. This is why some graves were decorated with a harpy waiting for the corpse. However, harpies became more popular as repulsive creatures, with terrifying features. Their smell was putrid and permeated everywhere they went, bringing filth and disease. They were aggressive and were used to stealing people's food. In Greek mythology, three harpies were different from the others. They were the daughters of Thomas and Electra, and therefore the sisters of the goddess Iris, the messenger of the gods. They were called Aelo, which means violent windstorm, Ocipete, those that fly quickly, and Chelaeno, the obscure. Harpies are associated with two famous myths. In the adventures of the Argonauts, they crossed the path of Phineus, a blind man who had received the gift of prophecy from the god Apollo, but who was punished by Zeus for having spread the secrets of the gods. The god made Phineus blind and sent the harpies to haunt him. Every day, a feast was served to Phineus, but when he was about to eat, the harpies appeared and stole his food. All the remaining food was contaminated by the filth brought by the damned. Phineus then promised the heroes to reveal to them how they could cross the rocks of the Simplegades, which collided and crushed the boats trying to cross them. The Argonauts fought the harpies, but at the request of the goddess Iris, sister of the harpies, they did not kill them. Another hero who faced the harpies was the Trojan Enne, who, having learned to leave Troy, took refuge on an island, until the day when the despicable harpies appeared. The creatures began to steal the cattle of Enne. He gathered his soldiers to fight them. However, his group of warriors was not as strong as that of the Argonauts. He ended up being defeated and had to leave the island. The harpies are very popular creatures among those who love the stories of fantastic worlds. Their appearance in RPG games is almost mandatory. They are also found in Game of Thrones, where they are the symbol of the city of Meereen and also lend their name to the son of the harpy. Centuries have already passed, and these winged creatures, half-women, half-birds, continue to be a source of admiration or fear for those who count them.