Esfinges, sirenas y arpías. Influencia de la iconografía funeraria egipcia en las imágenes griegas

Abstract

The rich Egyptian funerary iconography influenced some of the Greek myths; among them, the sphinx, the siren, and the harpy, all of them of masculine origin. They were transformed in Greece into feminine creatures, but maintained some affinity with their original meanings, such as protective gods of the dead. Nevertheless, their role was not only as deads' guardians, they also acquired erotical and passionate connotations. The beautiful semblance of the sphinx, the melodious voice of the siren, the seduction of the harpy, were the attractive aspects of their personalities that masqueraded danger and sexual violence.