Alecto is one of the Erinyes, or Furies, of Greek mythology. According to Hesiod, she was the daughter of Gaea, fertilized by the blood spilled by Uranus when Kronos castrated him. She is the sister of Tisiphone (Vengeance) and Megaera (Jealousy). Alecto is the Erinyes whose job is to punish moral crimes (such as anger), especially if they are against other people. Her role is similar to that of Nemesis, with the difference that Nemesis’ role is to punish crimes against the gods.
1. In mythology
In the Aeneid (Book 7), Juno ordered Alecto to prevent the Trojans from getting their way with King Latinus through marriage or by besieging the Italian borders. Alecto’s mission is to wreak havoc on the Trojans and cause their downfall through war.
To this end, Alecto takes possession of the body of Queen Amata, who cries out for all Latin mothers to rebel against the Trojans. She disguises herself as Juno’s priestess, Calybe, and appears before Turnus in a dream, persuading him to wage war against the Trojans.
Faced with Turnus’ mocking response, Alecto abandons her persuasion and attacks Turnus with a torch, causing his blood to “boil with the passion for war.” Unsatisfied with her work of igniting the war, Alecto asks Juno if she can cause more conflict by drawing in border towns.
Juno replies that she herself will direct the rest of the war: You wander too freely, high in the winds of heaven, and the Father, king of rugged Olympus, will not allow it. You must give way. Whatever fight lies ahead, I myself will take care of it.
2. Family and description
According to Hesiod, Alecto was the daughter of Gaea, fertilized by the blood spilled by Uranus when Cronus castrated him. She is the sister of Tisiphone, the embodiment of murder, and Megaera, the embodiment of jealousy. Alecto’s job as a Fury is to punish the moral crimes (such as anger) of humans, especially if they are against others.
The Furies had snakes for hair and blood dripping from their eyes. They also had bat wings. Alecto’s role is similar to that of Nemesis, with the difference that Nemesis’ role is to punish crimes against the gods, not against mortals. Her punishment for mortals was madness.
3. Alecto as Erinyes (Furies)
The Erinyes (Furies) were three goddesses of vengeance and revenge who punished men for crimes against the natural order. They were particularly concerned with murder, unfilial conduct, offenses against the gods, and perjury.
A victim seeking justice could bring down the curse of the Erinyes upon the criminal. The most powerful of these was the curse of the father upon the son, for the Erinyes were born of such a crime, emerging from the blood of Ouranos (Uranus) when he was castrated by his son Kronos (Cronus).
The wrath of the Erinyes manifested itself in various ways. The most serious of these was the tormenting madness inflicted on a parricide or matricide. Murderers may suffer illness or disease, and a nation that harbors such a criminal may suffer shortages, and with them famine and disease.
The wrath of the Erinyes could only be appeased by ritual purification and the fulfillment of some task assigned for atonement. The goddesses were also servants of Hades and Persephone in the underworld, where they supervised the torture of criminals consigned to the dungeons of the damned.
4. Alecto and the Furies in Greek Mythology
From The Odyssey to Pandora and her box, the stories of Greek mythology remain an important part of Western culture. From monsters to heroes, Greek mythology offers a wide variety of fascinating characters, and few are more fascinating than the Furies.
The Furies, also called the Erinyes, were three goddesses who lived in the Underworld, the Greek realm of the dead. They were the goddesses of vengeance and were sent to bring justice to people who committed crimes. According to mythology, they focused on punishing children who disrespected or murdered their parents, people who lied, murderers, and people who sinned against the gods. However, any violation of the law could be punished by the Furies.
5. Their Symbols
The Furies, of whom Alecto is one, are described as witches. As they were said to have snakes in their hair and wrapped around their arms, they are often symbolically associated with snakes. Additionally, they are associated with blood, as it is said to drip from their eyes. Dressed in black and wielding whips, these three goddesses of vengeance and justice also had bat wings. Together, this gave them a very intimidating appearance.
6. The Names of the Furies
Although the traditional name for the Furies is Erinyes (strife), the Greeks did not like to say this name. Instead, they chose to call the Furies by names such as Eumenides (kindly) or Semnai (August), perhaps as a way to appease the furious Furies.
Although some sources say there may be more, most myths have three Furies. These three goddesses are Alecto (anger), Megaera (jealousy), and Tisiphone (avenger). Each of the Furies has a different role or a different crime that she hated most, and this was illustrated by her name.
7. Their history
There are several different versions of the creation of the Furies. In one story, the Furies are born from the blood of Uranus, the ancient god of the sky, and Gaia, or Mother Earth, after Uranus’ death. In other stories, they are the children of Gaia and darkness. Another story says that they are the daughters of Nyx, the female goddess of night.
Some legends say that they were curses that came to life because they were accused of ascending to earth and punishing the wicked. The Furies were also what are called chrones, meaning they are related to the earth and the Underworld. When they weren’t punishing people on earth, they were working to torture the unfortunate in the Underworld. They served Hades (god of the underworld) and Persephone (goddess of spring and queen of the underworld).
