The Erinyes, (also known as The Furies) were three goddesses of vengeance and punishment in ancient Greek mythology. They were arose from the blood of Uranus when he was emasculated by his son, Cronos. They are often depicted as ugly, winged, serpent-haired women, either wearing the long black clothes of mourners or the short skirts and boots of female hunters. Their main concern was avenging crimes against the natural order, such as murder, crimes against the gods, perjury and unfilial conduct. Their name would be used in a curse by a victim seeking justice for a crime. Their retribution would be in a tormenting madness, illness or disease, or economic blight on a city harboring a criminal.
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