Orestes Pursued by the Furies

The Erinyes (he Angry Ones), also known as the Furies and the Eumenides (Kindly Ones), were three women sent to avenge the souls of the dead, and bring about justice. The three were named Alecto, (the never ending) Megaira (envious angert) and Tisiphone (voice of revenge). They appeared as hideous women with with serpents entwined in their hair, and they often carried whips and torches. One myth tells how they pursued Orestes because he had committed killed his mother, despite the fact that Orestes had acted in compliance with the direct command of Apollo. However, according to Aeschylus, the Furies were finally persuaded to abandon their persecution of Orestes after the acquittal of Orestes by the Areopagus. This verdict calmed the anger of the Furies, and they were henceforth known as the Eumenides.