Erinyes

The Erinyes were female deites of vengeance.  They were created in the same way as Meliae - When Cronus castrated his father, Uranus, and threw his genitalia into the sea, the Erinyes emerged from the drops of blood when it fell to the Earth.

They are crones and, depending upon authors, described as having snakes for hair, dog's heads, coal black bodies, bats wings, and blod-shot eyes. They were mainly known for being ugly, winged women with hair, arms and waists entwined with poisonous serpents. They wielded whips and were clothed either in the long black robes of mourners, or the short-length skirts and boots of huntress-maidens.

The Erinyes lived in Erebus and their job was to punish criminals by hounding culprits relentlessly. In their hands, they carry brass-studded scourges, so their victims died in torment. They were also servants of Hades and Persephone in the underworld, where they oversaw the torture of criminals consigned to the Dungeons of the Damned.

Paintings:

TITLE: Orestes pursued by the Erinyes
A\RTIST: William-Adolphe
YEAR: Approx. 1870

TITLE: Orestes and the Erinyes
ARTIST: Franz Stuck
YEAR: 1905

Books:

TITLE: Erinyes
AUTHOR: Gregory Zorzos
YEAR: 2009

TITLE: Vengeance Bound
AUTHOR: Justina Ireland
YEAR: 2013

TITLE: Fury
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Miles
YEAR: 2012

 

 Films / Televesion Series:

Film - 'The Furies'

1950

The Furies is a 64 year old film with influence from furies in Greek Mythology. The Furies and the Erinyes were very similar creatures.

Game - 'God of War: Ascension'

PS3

2013

Again, this game is based on Furies and not Erinyes', even though they have very similar actions. The only difference is their appearance.

Music Video - 'Heart Attack' by Demi Lovato

2013

I love the idea of this music video, where Demi Lovato smears herself in black paint. I think that black paint / airbrushing would work great for a fashion photographic image for the Erinyes.

 

Photography:

TITLE: Erinyes

PHOTOGRAPHER: Fusion Spot Photo

YEAR: 2013

The stylist for this shoot has incorporated the matt black body look by getting the model to wear a long black dress and a jacket, appearing to be bat wings. The hair and makeup is very simple and looks quite natural.

Other photographers have shot the following images:

I absolutely love this image! I would quite like to airbrush someones face and body black. Then add feathers around the shoulders to incorporate the bat wings.