Mythical Stymphalian Birds: Terrible Winged Maidens With Birds’ Feet
A. Sutherland - Ancient Pages.com - In Greek mythology, the Stymphalian Birds with beaks and wings of iron looked like winged maidens with birds’ feet. While shape-shifting into sirens, they lured people into the swamps.
Their droppings were poisonous and sharp iron feathers could easily kill and wound people and herds whenever they wanted.
Sacred to ancient Greek god of war, Ares (also known under Roman name: Mars), these huge 4 feet tall birds when perching, had a wingspan of 8 feet or more, brass beaks, metallic feathers they could shot like arrows and razor talons.
They were native to the Arabian Desert, where they preyed upon large and strong animals such as panthers and lions but they feared the wolves. The creatures dwelled in the swamps around Lake Stymphalus in the north-eastern Arcadia, which according to Greek/Roman was an earthly paradise and land of Pan, the god of woods, fields, and flocks.
These terrible raptors are described in different ways, but in ancient Greek legends, they are most commonly presented as vicious, violent and murderous birds often seen flying in vast flocks that blotted out the sun.
Heracles (‘Hercules’, the Roman adaptation of the Greek divine hero), was the strongest of all mortals and even stronger than many gods.
He was ordered by Eurystheus the king of Mycenae, to eradicate the flocks of flesh-eating killer birds.
A rattle with a horrifying noise was constructed by Hephaestus, the blacksmith of the gods and with this magical device, Heracles accomplished his task.
He scared the birds away so they left and never returned, (in another version of the story, Heracles shot them down with his arrows).
It is said that the remnants of these most feared creatures found refuge on the Island of Ares in the Black Sea, where they met with by the Argonauts, who accompanied Jason on his search for the Golden Fleece.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
R. Giblett, Canadian Wetlands: Places and People
More From Ancient Pages
-
10 Fascinating Facts About Pharaohs
Ancient History Facts | Jun 21, 2016
-
Ancient Egyptian Papyrus Tells A Different Story About Biblical Isaac’s Fate
Archaeology | May 1, 2018
-
There Is Evidence Humans Reached North America 130,000 Years Ago – Archaeologist Says
Archaeology | Mar 28, 2022
-
Ancient Maya Lessons On Surviving Drought – Examined By Scientists
Archaeology | Jan 5, 2022
-
Machine-Learning Model Can Detect Hidden Aussie Rock Art
Archaeology | Jun 28, 2022
-
Unique 80 Bronze Age Artifacts Dated To Roman Campaign In The Alps In 15 BC – Discovered
Archaeology | Jul 3, 2023
-
Susanoo-no-Mikoto – Shinto God Of The Sea And Storms Was Banished From Heaven
Featured Stories | Nov 23, 2018
-
Underwater Jars Reveal Roman Period Winemaking Practices
Archaeology | Jun 30, 2022
-
Lady Fu Hao: Brave Warrior Skilled Strategist And China’s First Female General
Featured Stories | Mar 9, 2019
-
1,400-Year-Old Christian Chalice With Etched Symbols Found In Rubble At Vindolanda Fort, Britain
Artifacts | Sep 1, 2020
-
On This Day In History: Battle Of Ayacucho Was Fought In Peru – On Dec 9, 1824
News | Dec 9, 2016
-
Rare Bronze Oil Lamp With A Face Cut In Half Unearthed In Israel
Archaeology | May 7, 2021
-
Mystery Of The Lost Biblical Kadesh Where Moses Was Punished By God
Biblical Mysteries | Oct 17, 2017
-
Codebreakers Crack Secrets Of The Lost Letters Of Mary, Queen Of Scots
News | Feb 8, 2023
-
Neanderthals Painted Andalusia’s Cueva de Ardales – New Study Confirms Their Cave Art
Archaeology | Aug 3, 2021
-
Hopi Ancestors Witnessed Flying Shields In The Skies Over Palitkwapi – The ‘Red City’
Civilizations | Apr 8, 2017
-
How Did Mesopotamia Change The World?
Civilizations | Jan 18, 2020
-
Is The Hashtag World’s Oldest Symbol And First Communication Attempt?
Ancient Symbols | Apr 27, 2018
-
Rare Animal-Shaped Mounds Discovered In Peru
Archaeology | Apr 2, 2012
-
On This Day In History: Russian Writer, Poet, Critic Nikolay Gogol Died – On Mar 4, 1852
News | Mar 4, 2017