---
title: Furies
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Furies/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-01-23
---
# Furies
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
The Furies (or Erinyes, sing. Erinys) were creatures from [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/) who exacted divine retribution from those guilty of wrong-doing. Crimes which were especially likely to incur their wrath were those involving one's family and anything related to oaths. The Furies were also responsible for carrying out curses, and the punishments they dealt out included disease and madness. From the 5th century BCE they are sometimes referred to by the euphemistic title 'the Gracious Ones' or Eumenides.
### [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) & [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/)
The Furies may go back to prehistoric times in [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) as the word 'Erinys' appears in [Linear B](https://www.worldhistory.org/Linear_B_Script/) and she was long-identified with [Demeter](https://www.worldhistory.org/demeter/), the agricultural goddess, in Arcadia, and with Potnia, the ancient 'Mistress' goddess, in Boeotia. Their earliest mention in [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/) is in the work of Hesiod and Homer.
In *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* Hesiod describes their birth but, as with most later sources, he does not specify their number. When the blood from the castrated [Uranus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Uranus/) hit the earth, from there sprang the Furies. They are, therefore, the daughters of Earth and Sky. Immediately, then, there is a connection with family arguments for Uranus was attacked by his son, the [titan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Titan/) [Cronus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cronus/). In Hesiod's *Works & Days* we are told that the Furies attended the birth of Oath, whose mother was Strife.
In Homer's *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* the Furies can prevent an individual from using their reason and so lead them to unusual and stupid acts. The example here is of [Agamemnon](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agamemnon/) who unwisely stole the prize of [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/) and so upset the hero that he withdrew from the [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/). In Book 15 of the *Iliad* we are reminded that they favour the eldest sibling when [Iris](https://www.worldhistory.org/Iris/) reminds [Poseidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/) of the folly of going against his older brother [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/). Homer also mentions that they live in Erebos, or darkness, and have no pity in their hearts. In the *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)* Homer describes them as the 'Avenging Furies' and they curse Melampus, king of [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/), with temporary madness.
### Associations & Purpose
Goddesses of vengeance and punishers of wrong-doing in general, the Furies were considered protectors of the rights of senior family members, especially mothers, fathers, and elder siblings. A famous example is their pursuit of Orestes after he killed his mother Clytemnestra. The Furies would carry out punishments according to curses given by such members. Outside the family, the Furies protected such social outcasts as beggars. They acted, too, as the guarantors of oaths and the punishers of those who swore false oaths. The dark nature of their task led them to being closely associated with [Hades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/), the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) Underworld, where they escorted the wicked to their torments. The writer of [Greek tragedy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Tragedy/) [Aeschylus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aeschylus/), for example, refers to the Furies as the daughters of Night.
[  Orestes Pursued by a Fury Jastrow (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5182/orestes-pursued-by-a-fury/ "Orestes Pursued by a Fury")### The Furies in Art
The Furies appear on [Greek pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Pottery/) decoration, typically with wings and either carrying snakes or with snakes in their hair. They are often seen pursuing Orestes and on other occasions in the company of either Hades or [Hecate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hecate/), the lunar goddess associated with witchcraft. The Furies feature in the works of all three great Greek tragedians, Aeschylus, [Sophocles](https://www.worldhistory.org/sophocles/), and [Euripides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Euripides/) (see especially *Orestes*). In Aeschylus' plays, they appeared on stage wearing all black and with snakes instead of hair. They continue to appear in [Etruscan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) and [Roman art](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Art/) when they become just three, are given the names Allecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone, and are referred to collectively as the Dirae.
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#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Bagnall, R. et al. *The Encyclopedia of Ancient History.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2012
- [Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Adam Editions, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/9605001020/)
- [Carpenter, T.H. *Art and Myth in Ancient Greece.* Thames & Hudson, 1991.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500202362/)
- [Hesiod. *Hesiod.* Harvard University Press, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0674996224/)
- [Homer. *The Iliad.* Penguin Classics, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140275363/)
- [Homer. *The Odyssey.* Penguin Classics, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140268863/)
- Hope Moncrieff, A.R. *Classical Mythology.* Senate
- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 800 BCE - c. 700 BCE**: [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/) of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) writes his *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* and *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)*.
- **c. 700 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) poet [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) writes his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* and *[Works and Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Works_and_Days/)*.
## External Links
- [The science behind the myth: Homer's "Odyssey" - Matt Kaplan](http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-science-behind-the-myth-homer-s-odyssey-matt-kaplan)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2016, June 01). Furies. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Furies." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 01, 2016. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Furies." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 Jun 2016, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 01 June 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.