Graeae

The Graeae

The Graeae ("old women", "grey ones", or "grey witches"; alternatively spelled Graiai and Graiae), also called the Grey Sisters and the Phorcides ("daughters of Phorcys"), were three sisters who shared one eye and one tooth among them. Their names were Deino, Enyo and Pemphredo.

Description

The Graeae, also known as the Stygian Witches or the Grey Sisters, were three grey haired hag-like sisters in Greek mythology. They were the children of the elemental gods Phorcys and Ceto, and they were the goddesses of old age. They had grey hair, empty eye sockets, and toothless mouths from birth. They were the sisters of the gorgons.

Overview

Because of their lack of godliness, the Graeae were given jurisdiction over a swamp. They were also given an eye to share among themselves. This eye gave them great knowledge and wisdom. When the Gorgons were cursed by Athena, they entrusted their locations to the Graeae, who kept quiet for them until the day they met Perseus. Perseus was on a quest to destroy Medusa. He went to the lair of the Graeae for information of her whereabouts. He took their eye, and threatened to throw it in the swamp unless they told him where the gorgons were. Reluctantly, the Graeae told Perseus where Medusa was.