ERINYES: The Executioners in Hell

Erinyes are the fury devils created in mockery of the angelic form with a beauty that belies their utterly evil and cruel nature. Also known as the Ash Wings, Furies of Hell, and Fallen Angels, these devils are avengers and executioners in Hell.

In Greek mythology, they are described as three female goddesses who were responsible for punishing wrongdoers to death. They can cause them to commit suicide. The names of the sisters that make up the Erinyes are Megaera, Alecto, and Tisiphone.  These goddesses in the underworld were the servants of Haides and Persephone. While there, their duty was to oversee the torture of criminals relinquished to the damned dungeons.

 

The name “Erinyes” means to be aroused in anger, and these goddesses were referred to as the spirits of vengeance and retribution. They punished men who deviated from the natural order. Erinyes were very concerned about unfilial conduct, people who offended the gods, and those who committed murder. Also, those who wanted justice called upon the Erinyes to punish the guilty.

The wrath of Erinyes is manifested in a number of ways; afflicting the individual with diseases, madness, hunger, and even death.  Such wrath can only be pacified with a purification rite and the completion of the task assigned for atonement.

Origin

It is believed that some of these devils were created from mortal souls, others from the essences of fallen celestials that turned away from the good path. There are others from lesser devils that had a spark of piousness in its past experience. Some sources say that some Erinyes were created from the soul of a fallen priest.

 

Location:

The Erinyes can be found on the Material Plane where they are summoned continuously by jilted mortal mages who request for remorseless vengeance. It is said that they hate mortals because of their divine origin and because they were forced to serve mortals in their previous celestial form. In Hell, due to their beauty, they serve as seducers and as active soldiers due to their hatred.

 

Similar Demons

• Arai
• Poinai
• Maniai
• Praxidikai

Appearance:

They were depicted as ugly women with hair, arms, and waists that had poisonous serpents entwined to them. The sisters had wings and whips and were dressed either in the long black mourners’ robes, or boots of huntress maidens and short-length skirts. They had similar proportions with infernal deities like Keres and Harpies.

 

Their faces were frightening and horrific, and they had snakelike hair like Medusa. Their breath and the foam coming out of their mouth were poisonous. Flames and sparks were seen coming out of their eyes, and as they flew about, they were spreading illnesses and preventing plants from growing. It is believed that after the ascension of Asmodeus to godhood, they lost their wings, and received hooves and fangs in return, which made them have a beastly appearance. Some furies stand just under 6 feet tall and weigh about 140 pounds, even with their black-feathered wings that stretch over 10 feet wide.

 

Significance of the Three Sisters

The three classic furies that came from the blood of Uranus and Gaia have different significance and duties: Alecto punishes moral crimes which include anger. Megaera punishes infidelity, theft, and debt breakers while Tisiphone punishes murderers.

 

Generally, the furies were known for stalking offenders, especially those who failed to fulfill family obligations such as to care, love, and respect one’s parents. Also, they punished those who were obsessed with hatred, malice, and anger. They even went as far as punishing those who grabbed the chicks from the birds’ nests.

 

Abilities

Most furies have longbows that shoot flaming arrows with great accuracy. They can create illusions and see straight through illusion. They instill supernatural fear in their victims then they teleport, summon Barbazus, and smite their foes with an unholy blight of cloying dark miasma. Their best-known ability is to weave ropes from their own hair and animate it to trap their victims.

 

Erinyes Curses:

The Erinyes issue curses judiciously to punish offenders and below are examples of such curses:

 

For Filicide:

Filicide is the murder of a son or daughter. The curse of the Erinyes was usually called down upon the murderous parent by the other guiltless one. An example is the case of Tereus and Procne. Tereus cursed his wife Procne with the wrath of the Erinyes for the murder of their son, whom she had served up to him as a meal.

 

Family betrayal:

The Erinyes placed curses on a family member as punishment for an act of betrayal. An example is a case between Zeus and Poseidon (Elder Brother vs. Younger). The Erinyes sided with Zeus, as the eldest son, in support of his right to rule the family of the gods. Poseidon was warned not to challenge him as the Erinyes would punish the betrayal.

 

Patricide and Matricide:

Crimes of matricide and patricides attract the greatest penalties. The ghost of the dead parent accompanied by Erinyes, haunt, and drive the criminal child mad. Only through severe atonement could the wrath of the ghost and its furies be abated.

 

The three most famous victims of this Erinyes-curse were Orestes for the slaying of his duplicitous mother, Oidipous (Oedipus) for an unintentional patricide, and Alkmaion (Aclmaeon) for the crime of matricide. According to rumors, some Erinyes possess skills that allow them to continue to torture their victim even after the subject has died.