EUMENIDES, ancient goddesses, also called Semnai ("rev erend ones") worshipped at the foot of the Areiopagus at Athens, at Colonus, and in places outside Attica. Their cult closely resembled that of Ge (earth), and they were probably earth spirits, largely concerned with fertility, but having also certain moral and social functions. By and of ter Aeschylus (q.v.) they were generally identified, although wrongly, with the Erinyes (q.v.). (From Gr. EvµEviis, kindly.) See L. Farnell, Cults of the Greek States, v., P. 44o.