Greek-Goddesses Wiki
Advertisement

The Graeae, also called The Grey Sisters and The Phorcides (daughters of Phorcys), are three elderly immortal sisters, named Enyo, Pemphredo, Dino or Persis, who personify the white foam of the sea. They were born with grey hair from birth and share one detachable eye and tooth between each other. They are the daughters of Phorcys and Ceto, who watched over and guarded their sister, Medusa, according to Greek Mythology.

Members[]

Hesiod's Theogony lists two members of The Graeae, Pemphredo and Enyo, meanwhile Apollodorus lists three members: Enyo, Pemphredo and Dino, Hyginus Preface however introduce them as Enyo, Pemphredo and Dino or Persis.

Genealogy and Family[]

The Graeae are the daughters of the Primordial sea deities, Phorcys and Ceto and the sisters of Ladon, Echidna and the Gorgons, Medusa, Stheno & Euryale.

Role and Significance[]

Appearance and Personality[]

The Graeae take the form of old women who share a single eye and tooth.

According to Aeschylus, however, they were Seiren-shaped monsters with the head and arms of old women and the bodies of swans.

Stories[]

Relationships[]

Grey sis

The Graeae depicted in the Percy Jackson movies.

Modern Depictions[]

Trivia[]

Their title 'The Graeae' can be translated to 'old women' and is spelt Γραῖαι; in Ancient Greek.

As for their individual names Deino or Dino is spelt Δεινω in Greek and means 'terrible', Enyô is spelt Ενυω in Greek and means 'war-like', Persis means 'destroyer ' and was spelt Περσις and Pemphredo spelt Πεμφρηδω means 'she who shows the way'.

Advertisement