Phineus and the Harpies

E581565

Phineus and the Harpies is a famous episode from Greek mythology in which the Argonauts rescue the blind seer Phineus from the torment of monstrous winged spirits who continually defile his food.

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Label Occurrences
Phineus and the Harpies canonical 1

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Statements (43)

Predicate Object
instanceOf mythological episode
story from Greek mythology
associatedWithText Apollonius of Rhodes’ Argonautica
linked to: Argonautica

Hyginus’ Fabulae
Pindar’s Odes
linked to: Pindar's odes
basedOnCharacterFrom Argonautica
causeOfTorment misuse of prophetic gifts
offense against the gods
centralConflict Phineus is tormented by Harpies who defile his food
culturalOrigin Ancient Greece
linked to: Greek Antiquity
depictedIn Hellenistic and Roman reliefs
ancient Greek vase painting
later European paintings
featuresCharacter Calais
Phineus
Zetes
the Harpies
featuresCreatureType Harpies
featuresGroup the Argonauts
linked to: Argonauts

the Boreads
HarpiesDescribedAs agents of divine punishment
monstrous winged spirits
hasMotif blind seer
pursuit and banishment of monsters
winged spirits
hasSetting Thrace
hasTheme atonement
deliverance
divine punishment
prophecy
involvesAction Argonauts rescue Phineus from the Harpies
Harpies snatch and befoul Phineus’ meals
languageOfOrigin Ancient Greek
moralAspect illustration of mercy following repentance
warning against revealing too much divine knowledge
narrativeFunction explains why the Argonauts receive prophetic instructions
PhineusDescribedAs blind seer
former king of Thrace
relatedMythCycle Argonauts’ voyage for the Golden Fleece
resolution Harpies are driven away or constrained by oath
resultForArgonauts Phineus gives prophetic guidance to the Argonauts
resultForPhineus Phineus is freed from hunger and torment
timeOfOrigin Archaic to Hellenistic period of Greek literature

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Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Argonautic expedition featuresEpisode Phineus and the Harpies