Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 8th Century BCE

Geographic Range: The skies above Greece

Diet: Food left out by Thracian King Phineus

Horde: Greek

Flying in to bring the winds are the Harpies. These Greek bird-women are the personification of storm winds and are said to be sent by Zeus during storms to do his bidding. His bidding often involved stealing mortals, so if you see a storm brewing, we highly recommend staying inside for reasons beyond just bad weather.

Zeus also commanded the Harpies to torment the Thracian king Phineus, ordering them to steal or destroy any food he tried to lay on his table, leaving an awful stench in their wake.

The Harpies are beautiful and fierce winged women, embodying both allure and danger. However, some accounts paint a slightly different picture, claiming they also have the legs of birds. Accurate witnesses are hard to come by, as those who encounter these creatures in storms are often snatched away, never to be seen again. The fact that "harpy" is now slang for a grasping, unpleasant woman should tell you all you need to know about this mythic oddity.