---
title: Iris
author: Liana Miate
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Iris/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-04-12
---
# Iris
_Authored by [Liana Miate](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/lianamiate/)_
Iris is the goddess of rainbows and an important messenger between the gods and humans in [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/). She was most commonly portrayed as the personal messenger of [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/). Iris was the daughter of the Titans Thaumas and [Electra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/electra/) and the sister of the fearsome Harpies. Common epithets include "golden-winged Iris", "swift Iris", or "swift-footed Iris."
### Birth & Family
As mentioned in the *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* by [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) (c. 700 BCE), Iris was the daughter of the Titans Thaumas and Electra and the sister of the Harpies (half-woman, half-bird creatures). Although not mentioned in Hesiod's *Theogony*, other writers like Nonnus (c. 5th century CE) and Alcaeus (c. 625/620-580 BCE) state that Iris was married to [Zephyrus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Zephyrus/), the West Wind and that they had Pothos (the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of yearning and desire) together. Some sources also list [Eros](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eros/) as being their son.
### Goddess of Rainbows
As the goddess of rainbows, Iris is often described as being brilliantly hued and leaving a rainbow in her wake wherever she flew. She lit up the space around her with a radiant light and used her rainbow to glide down to earth. In [Ovid](https://www.worldhistory.org/ovid/)'s (43 BCE to 17 CE) *Metamorphoses*, Iris refilled [the clouds](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Clouds/) with water after it had rained.
> Then Iris dressed herself in her cloak of a thousand colours,
> she painted the sky with the arch of the rainbow.
> (Ovid, *Metamorphoses*, 11.588-590).
The rainbow was viewed as a bridge that connected heaven and earth, symbolising Iris' role as a messenger between the gods and humans.
[  Iris as Goddess of the Rainbow Manfred Werner/Tsui (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17261/iris-as-goddess-of-the-rainbow/ "Iris as Goddess of the Rainbow")### Messenger of the Gods
Like [Hermes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hermes/), Iris had the prominent role of being a messenger of the gods – mainly serving Hera and [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/). In some sources, Iris is mentioned as sleeping under Hera's throne on Mount Olympus, so she was ready to send a message or carry out an errand at a moment's notice. However, Iris rarely ventured out near the sea or the River Styx except for when fighting broke out among the gods.
> Seldom does swift Iris come,
> Daughter of Thaumas, over the sea's broad back,
> To bring a message. But sometimes when fights
> And quarrelling arise among the gods
> And some one of the gods who have their homes
> On Mount Olympus tells a lie, then Zeus
> Sends Iris with a golden jug to fetch
> The sacred stuff by which gods swear an oath.
> (Hesiod, *Theogony*, 780-785)
When [Demeter](https://www.worldhistory.org/demeter/) placed herself in self-imposed exile after the abduction of her daughter, [Persephone](https://www.worldhistory.org/persephone/), Zeus sent Iris to bring her back to Mount Olympus and take her rightful place among the gods. However, the goddess was unmoved by Iris' message. In the *[Aeneid](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Aeneid/)* by [Virgil](https://www.worldhistory.org/virgil/) (70-19 BCE), Iris was sent to King Turnus, the enemy of the hero and Trojan prince, [Aeneas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aeneas/). She informed him that Aeneas had left [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) to travel to King Evander of Pallanteum and that this was the perfect time to attack his allies and army. Turnus knew it was Iris and told her that he would follow her wise advice.
[  Iris and Jupiter Michel Corneille the Younger (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17260/iris-and-jupiter/ "Iris and Jupiter")###
Iris & the [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/)
After Hera planned a magnificent wedding for the Nereid [Thetis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thetis/) and King Peleus of Phthia, she sent Iris to King Peleus to tell him to prepare for the big event. This wedding would be the catalyst for the chain of events that led to the Trojan [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/).
Iris is mentioned several times in [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/)'s *Iliad*, often in disguise, to deliver an important message or appear on the battlefield. In Book 2, Iris quickly travelled to the Trojan army and, imitating Prince Polites of [Troy](https://www.worldhistory.org/troy/)'s voice, warned them that the Greeks had arrived in Troy. Prince Hector of Troy recognised that this was a message from the gods and gave the call for the Trojan army to ready themselves. In Book 3, Iris once again disguised herself, this time as Laodice, King Priam's daughter. She went to [Helen](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Helen/) and told her that [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/) and [Menelaus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Menelaus/) were to duel for her hand and placed a yearning for Menelaus and her family in her heart.
After [Aphrodite](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aphrodite/) was injured by King [Diomedes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Diomedes/) of [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/) in Book 5, Iris led her from the battlefield to safety and took her away to Mount Olympus in [Ares](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ares/)' [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/). In Book 8, Hera and [Athena](https://www.worldhistory.org/athena/) disobeyed Zeus' orders and planned to assist the Achaeans. Zeus sent Iris to stop them and ordered her to take a message to Prince Hector.
> Hector, son of Priam - a mastermind like Zeus!
> The father has sped me down to tell you this:
> so long as you see lord marshal [Agamemnon](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agamemnon/) storming
> among the champions, mowing columns down in blood,
> you must hold back, command the rest of your men
> to fight the enemy, stand their headlong charge!
> But soon as a spear or bowshot wounds the king
> and Atrides mounts his chariot once again-
> then Zeus will hand you the power to kill and kill
> till you cut your way to the benched ships and the sun sinks
> and the blessed darkness sweeps across the earth!
> (Homer, *Iliad*, 11.235-245).
Zeus commanded Hera to summon Iris and [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/) so that Iris could order [Poseidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/) to withdraw from the battlefield and Apollo could encourage Prince Hector to fight once more. At once, they obeyed his orders, and Iris told Poseidon that he was to return to the gods or his sea; otherwise, he would have to answer directly to Zeus. Although reluctant to follow her orders, Iris reminded him that it would be wise to heed Zeus' warning.
[  Achilles Tending to Patroclus ArchaiOptix (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14193/achilles-tending-to-patroclus/ "Achilles Tending to Patroclus")Iris came to the aid of Achilles multiple times in the *Iliad*. In Book 18, Iris was sent by Hera in secret to take Achilles a message that he must put his armour back on and rescue the body of [Patroclus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patroclus/) from the Trojans. Iris further assisted Achilles when Patroclus' pyre would not burn. Hearing Achilles invoke the West Wind and North Wind, she flew off to alert them of Achilles' plight, and they rushed to help him light the pyre. Iris was tasked with fetching Thetis, Achilles' mother, so she could persuade him to return Hector's body to the Trojans. She also met with the grieving King Priam of Troy and relayed a message from Zeus, who pitied him and wanted to help him. She instructed him to take gifts to Achilles in exchange for Hector's body.
### Iris & the Birth of Apollo
In the *Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo,* the goddess [Leto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Leto/) struggled for nine days and nine nights to give birth to Apollo. All the goddesses were there offering their support. Hera sent Iris off the island of [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) to fetch [Eileithyia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eileithyia/), the divine goddess of childbirth, to help. She ran to Mount Olympus and convinced Eileithyia to go to Delos and help Leto give birth. As soon as Eileithyia landed on the island, Apollo was born.
[  Juno, Iris, and Flora François Lemoyne (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17263/juno-iris-and-flora/ "Juno, Iris, and Flora")### Iris & the Argonauts
In the *Argonautica* by Apollonius of [Rhodes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhodes/) (c. 3rd century BCE), Iris came to the rescue of her sisters, the vicious Harpies, who were being pursued by the sons of [Boreas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Boreas/) (the North Wind). In their quest to find the [Golden Fleece](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Fleece/), the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) hero [Jason and the Argonauts](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/425/jason--the-argonauts/) had landed on the Thynian coast, where a wise old man named Phineus pleaded for their help. He told them of his plight with the Harpies, who had been fouling his food every time he came to eat, and informed them it was decreed that the sons of Boreas would chase them away for good. Moved by his story, the men promised to help him and made a huge feast to bait the Harpies. Sure enough, as soon as the feast was set out, the Harpies swooped down, and the sons of Boreas, Zetes and Kalais, ran after them, intent on killing them.
Seeing this, Iris quickly lept down to earth and reminded them that the gods did not decree the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of the Harpies, only that they were to be driven away. Then, using water from the River Styx, she swore they would never bother Phineus again, and the Argonauts spared their lives.
### Iris & Hypnos
In *Metamorphoses* by Ovid, King Ceyx of Trachis was killed in a terrible storm while sailing to consult an oracle. His wife, Alcyon, was unaware of his fate and prayed to Hera each night for her husband's safe return. Hera could not accept prayers for someone who was already deceased and sent Iris to Hypnos, the god of sleep, with a message.
Iris informed Hypnos that he was to appear in Alcyon's dreams as King Ceyx and tell her of his death. Once she had relayed this message, Iris quickly departed on her rainbow as she could no longer endure the power of Hypnos.
[  Morpheus Awakening as Iris Draws Near René-Antoine Houasse (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17262/morpheus-awakening-as-iris-draws-near/ "Morpheus Awakening as Iris Draws Near")### Iris & the [Women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) of Troy
In Virgil's *Aeneid*, Iris was sent by Hera down to a deserted beach where the women of Troy were mourning the death of Anchises, the father of the Trojan Prince Aeneas. Iris disguised herself as Beroe, an older woman held in high esteem by the other women. She reminded them that they had been travelling aimlessly for the past seven years in search of the fabled [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) and asked them why they did not establish a [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) where they were.
She picked up a torch and threw it towards the Trojan fleet. The women of Troy were entranced by her words until the oldest woman there informed them that this strange woman was not Beroe. Torn between their destiny to find Italy and staying where they were, the women went crazy. When they saw Iris flying with a rainbow following in her wake, they were stirred to action and set the ships on fire.
### Legacy
From Iris, we get the name of the coloured part of the pupil in our eyes. The colour of the iris differs from person to person, depending on the amount of melanin pigment found in each iris. The words 'iridescent' and 'iridescence' are also derived from the Latin *Iris* and refer to the rainbow-like refraction of light.
[  Persian Tiles Showing Iris Plants Aga Khan Museum (CC BY-NC) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15065/persian-tiles-showing-iris-plants/ "Persian Tiles Showing Iris Plants")Iris is also the genus name given to a colourful flowering plant species, which is a popular plant of choice in many gardens and has a long history dating back to ancient [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/).
#### 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
- [Apollonius of Rhodes & Hunter, Richard. *Jason and the Golden Fleece.* Oxford University Press, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199538727/)
- [Dunmore, Charles W. & Fleischer, Rita. *Studies in Etymology, 2nd Edition.* Focus, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1585100129/)
- [Graves, Robert. *The Greek Myths\[May 15, 2018\] Graves, Robert.* Viking, 2018.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0241982359/)
- [Hesiod & Theognis & Wender, Dorothea & Wender, Dorothea. *Hesiod and Theognis.* Penguin Classics, 1976.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140442839/)
- [Homer & Richardson, Nicholas & Cashford, Jules & Richardson, Nicholas. *Homeric Hymns.* Penguin Classics, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140437827/)
- [Homer & Robert Fagles & Bernard Knox. *The Iliad.* Penguin Classics, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140275363/)
- [Iris of the Eye](https://www.visioncenter.org/eye-anatomy/iris-of-the-eye/ "Iris of the Eye"), accessed 1 Apr 2023.
- [Nardo, Don. *Greek and Roman Mythology.* Greenhaven, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0737707194/)
- [Ovid & Raeburn, David & Feeney, Denis. *Metamorphoses.* Penguin Classics, 2004.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/014044789X/)
- [Powell, Barry B. *Classical Myth.* Pearson, 1970.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0132461854/)
- [The Iris Flower: Meanings, Images & Insights | Floraly](https://www.floraly.com.au/blogs/news/the-iris-flower-meanings-images-insights "The Iris Flower: Meanings, Images & Insights | Floraly"), accessed 1 Apr 2023.
- [Virgil & West, David & West, David & West, David. *The Aeneid.* Penguin Classics, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140449329/)
## About the Author
Liana is the Social Media Editor for Ancient History Encyclopedia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in ancient Greece, Rome & Late Antiquity. She is particularly passionate about Rome and Greece, and anything to do with mythology or wo
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lian)
## Timeline
- **490 BCE - 480 BCE**: A 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) tall [Iris](https://www.worldhistory.org/Iris/) or [Nike](https://www.worldhistory.org/nike/) [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) is erected on the [Acropolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Acropolis/) of [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) in memory of the general Kallimachos, killed in the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of [Marathon](https://www.worldhistory.org/marathon/).
## Questions & Answers
### What is Iris the goddess of?
Iris is the goddess of rainbows.
### What powers does the goddess Iris have?
Iris can travel from heaven to earth on her rainbow. She is the bearer of radiant light and can fill clouds with rain.
### What does the name Iris mean?
Iris means rainbow.
### What was the role of Iris in Greek mythology?
Iris was the messenger of the gods (especially Zeus and Hera) in Greek mythology.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Miate, L. (2023, April 05). Iris. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Miate, Liana. "Iris." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 05, 2023. .
### MLA
Miate, Liana. "Iris." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 Apr 2023, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Liana Miate](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/lianamiate/ "User Page: Liana Miate"), published on 05 April 2023. 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.