Sirens

Usually three are referred to, Leucopia, Ligeia, and Parthenope, who were said to be the daughters of Achelloos or of Phorcys and Terpichore. Another version names them as Thelxipeia, Aglaopeia, and Peisinoe, and describes them as the daughters of Melopomene and Achelloos or of Phorcys. They were half birds and half women, and dwelt on the coasts near Messene, or more specifically, according to one legend, on the cape of [p. 87] Peloros, while another version of the story says in the region round Aetna, and yet another the Syracuse islands. Incomparable in song with their divine and irresistible voices, they drew voyagers on to the rocks, sinking the ships and devouring the passengers. Only two heroes were able to withstand the allure of their charms, Orpheus who smothered the sound of their voices with his lyre, and Odysseus who filled the ears of his men with wax, and had himself lashed to the mast of his ship. Accordingly, the Sirens drowned themselves from the annoyance at the escape of Odysseus who was the first mortal to hear them and to escape, and the creatures were turned into rocks. Of the Sirens, Parthenope became an object of worship in the city of the same name which later became Naples. But the Sirens were not only sea monsters, for they would emerge from the bowels of the earth to plague mortals especially in their dreams. Occasionally they were beneficent beings, particularly when their intended victims succeeded in appeasing them. [pp. 87-88]

[Kyriazis, Constantine D. Eternal Greece. Translated by Harry T. Hionides. A Chat Publication.]

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