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Stheno and Euryale

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Stheno and Euryale

The Gorgons Stheno and Euryale chasing Perseus; Attic black-figure lekythos, Cabinet des Medailles

Real Name

Stheno and Euryale

First Appearance

Greek Myth

Created by

Greek Myth

Origin[]

In Greek mythology, Stheno and Euryale were two of the three Gorgons, along with Medusa, sisters who were able to turn anyone who looked at them to stone. When Perseus beheaded Medusa, the two Gorgons pursued him but were unable to catch him.

According to Hesiod, and Apollodorus, Stheno and Euryale, along with Medusa, were daughters of the primordial sea-god Phorcys and the sea-monster Ceto, while, according to Hyginus, they were daughters of "the Gorgon", an offspring of Typhon and Echidna, and Ceto.

The Gorgons Stheno and Euryale were immortal, whereas their Gorgon sister Medusa was mortal. The only story involving them is their pursuit of Perseus after he has beheaded Medusa. The Hesiodic Shield of Heracles describes the two Gorgons' pursuit of Perseus.

While, the "great Fear" rioting upon the heads of the Gorgon, in the passage from the Shield, might possibly be a vague reference to hair made of snakes, the poet Pindar makes such a physical feature explicit, describing the two Gorgons, just like their sister Medusa, as having "horrible snakey hair."

According to Apollodorus' version of their story, all three Gorgons had the ability to turn to stone anyone who looked upon them. And when Perseus managed to behead Medusa by looking at her reflection in his bronze shield, Stheno and Euryale chased after him, but were unable to see him because he was wearing Hades' cap, which made him invisible.

Euryale's lamenting cry, while chasing Perseus, is noted in two sources. Pindar has Athena create the "many-voiced songs of flutes" to imitate the "shrill cry" of the "fast-moving jaws of Euryale". While Nonnus, in his Dionysiaca, has the fleeing Perseus "listening for no trumpet but Euryale's bellowing".

Public Domain Appearances[]

All appearances of Stheno and Euryale from before Janurary 1, 1929 are public domain in the US.

Some notable appearances are listed below:

Public Domain Literary Appearances[]

  • Shield of Heracles
  • Dionysiaca

Notes[]

  • The boss and enemy Stheno from the Final Fantasy franchise were named after the Greek monster.

See Also[]

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