by Annalou Mack

Created on: September 08, 2008   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

Different descriptions of the Sirens are found in ancient writings. Some say there were two sisters and others write there were five sisters who at one time were handmaidens of the goddess Persephone. Some writers say their father was the sea god Phorcys and others say he was the river god Achelous. These seductresses, reportedly having the body of a bird and the head of a woman, lived on the flowery island of Anthemoessa.

The Sirens had such beautiful and enchanting voices that their singing made men forget everything except the sound of their voices and lured sailors to their death. The singing of the Sirens was so enchantingly sweet that it drove out all other thoughts except wanting to hear more. The sailors, upon hearing the Sirens, turned the ship toward the shore where the Sirens sat and the ship was dashed on the rocks with all aboard destroyed. It was said that the mounds of skeletons of men who were lured to their death lay high around them on the shore where they sat singing their enticing songs. No one knew what they looked like because anyone seeing them did not return.

On one of the journeys of Odysseus, Circe told him he would pass the island of the Sirens. Before his ship came close to this island, Odysseus told his men about the Sirens. He said the only way to pass them safely was for the men to put wax in their ears. However, he wanted to hear them so he instructed his crew to tie him to the mast so tightly that he could not get loose. The men did as instructed and when they passed the island of the Sirens only Odysseus was able to hear their songs.

He felt that the words were more enticing than the melody. The words said that the Sirens would give knowledge to any man who came to them. They crooned that they knew all things that would be on the earth forever. Odysseus longed to go to them as their lovely songs rang out, but the ropes held him and the ship was able to go on safely by the island.

It is said that when the Argonauts passed by the Sirens, their ship started toward the shore where the Sirens sat. Orpheus picked up his lyre and drowned out the songs of the Sirens. The ship got back on its course and sped away from the dangerous place.

According to the myths, the Sirens could only live until someone heard their songs and escaped. Either because of the Argonauts or of Odysseus passing safely, they threw themselves into the sea and were turned into rocks.

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