ERINYES (e-rin'i-ez), less correctly ERINNYES, in Greek mythology, the name given to the avenging deities, probably personified curses, but possibly in their origin ghosts of the murdered (Lat. Furiae). According to Hesiod (Theog., 185) they were the daughters of Earth, and sprang from the blood of the mutilated Uranus; in Aeschylus (Earn., 321) they are the daughters of Night, in Sophocles (O.C., 40), of Darkness and Earth. Sometimes one Erinys is mentioned, sometimes several. Euripides first spoke of them as three in number, to whom later Alexandrian writers gave the names Alecto (unceasing in anger), Tisiphone (avenger of murder), Megaera (jealous).
Their home is the world below, whence they ascend to earth to pursue the wicked. They punish all offences against the laws of human society, such as perjury, violation of the rites of hospitality, and, above all, the murder of relations. Though just, they are merciless and take no account of mitigating circum stances. Being deities of the underworld, they are often identified with spirits of the fertility of the earth, as the Semnai or Eu menides (q.v.) at Athens. (See DEMETER.) In Aeschylus, the Erinyes are represented as awesome, Gorgon-like women wearing long black robes, with snaky locks, bloodshot eyes, and claw-like nails. Later, they are winged maidens of serious aspect, in the garb of huntresses, with snakes or torches in their hair, carrying scourges, torches or sickles.
See J. E. Harrison, Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion (1903) ; E. Rohde, Psyche, A. Rapp, in Roscher's Lexikon; and J. A. Hild in Daremberg-Saglio, s.v. FURIAE.