The Harpies were spirits of sudden, sharp gusts of wind. These were the hounds of Zeus, who were dispatched by him to snatch people and things from the earth. Quick, mysterious disappearances were often attributed to the Harpies. The Harpies were often depicted as winged women, sometimes with ugly faces and the lower bodies of birds. Zeus once sent the Harpies to plague King Phineus of Thrake as punishment for revealing the secrets of the gods. Whenever food was sent before him, the Harpies would take it from him.
Picture: http://www.theoi.com/image/img_harpyiai.jpg
