In Greek mythology, Polyphonte was described as the daughter of Hipponous, king of the Triballi, and Thrassa (daughter of Ares, god of war, and Tereine). Polyphonte scorned the activities of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and went to the mountains as a companion and sharer of sports with Artemis, the goddess of hunt.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, got angry with Polyphonte activities, which failed to honour her. Aphrodite drove Polyphonte mad and made her fall in love with a bear. By daemonic urge Polyphonte went on heat and had intercourse with a bear. Artemis, the goddess of hunt, saw Polyphonte coupled with a bear and got angry, turned all beasts against her.
Fearing for her life Polyphonte was forced to return to her father’s home. Polyphonte gave birth to two humanoid bear-like sons Agrius and Oreius. Agrius and Oreius grew into huge men of immense strength. Agrius and Oreius did not honour the gods and were cannibals, who attacked strangers on the road and eat them.
Zeus send Hermes to punish them in whatever way he chose. Hermes decided to chop of their hands and feet. But Ares, since the family of Polyphonte descended from him, snatched Polyphonte sons from this fate. With the help of Hermes he changed Agrius, Oreius, Polyphonte, and the family’s female servant into birds.
Polyphonte became a small owl whose voice was heard at night. She does not eat or drink and keeps her head turned down and the tips of her feet turned up. She was a portent of war and sedition for mankind. Oreios became an eagle owl, a bird that presages little good to anyone when it appears. Argios was changed into a vulture, the bird most detested by gods and men and gave him an utter craving for human flesh and blood.
Their female servant was changed into a woodpecker. As she was changing her shape she prayed to the gods not to become a bird evil for mankind. Hermes and Ares heard her prayer because she had by necessity done what her masters had ordered. This bird was a sign of good luck for someone going hunting or to feasts.
Index
 |
| Polyphonte |
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, got angry with Polyphonte activities, which failed to honour her. Aphrodite drove Polyphonte mad and made her fall in love with a bear. By daemonic urge Polyphonte went on heat and had intercourse with a bear. Artemis, the goddess of hunt, saw Polyphonte coupled with a bear and got angry, turned all beasts against her.
Fearing for her life Polyphonte was forced to return to her father’s home. Polyphonte gave birth to two humanoid bear-like sons Agrius and Oreius. Agrius and Oreius grew into huge men of immense strength. Agrius and Oreius did not honour the gods and were cannibals, who attacked strangers on the road and eat them.
 |
| Agrius and Oreius |
Zeus send Hermes to punish them in whatever way he chose. Hermes decided to chop of their hands and feet. But Ares, since the family of Polyphonte descended from him, snatched Polyphonte sons from this fate. With the help of Hermes he changed Agrius, Oreius, Polyphonte, and the family’s female servant into birds.
 |
| .......Owl........Eagle Owl...... ....Vulture......Woodpecker.... |
Polyphonte became a small owl whose voice was heard at night. She does not eat or drink and keeps her head turned down and the tips of her feet turned up. She was a portent of war and sedition for mankind. Oreios became an eagle owl, a bird that presages little good to anyone when it appears. Argios was changed into a vulture, the bird most detested by gods and men and gave him an utter craving for human flesh and blood.
Their female servant was changed into a woodpecker. As she was changing her shape she prayed to the gods not to become a bird evil for mankind. Hermes and Ares heard her prayer because she had by necessity done what her masters had ordered. This bird was a sign of good luck for someone going hunting or to feasts.
Index
Beautiful and compelling artwork! An inspiring page! Thank you.
ReplyDelete