In earlier versions of Greek Mythology, Harpies were described as beautiful winged maidens.
Later they became winged monsters with the face of an ugly old woman with crooked, sharp talons.
They are often referred to as the three daughters of the Giant Thaumas and the Okeanid nymph Elektra.
The Harpies were employed by the gods to punish crime on the Earth.
Their names were Aello ("the Stormswift"), Celaeno ("the Dark") and Ocypete ("the Swiftwing").
The Harpies were probably the personification of storm winds.
They were represented carrying off persons to the underworld and inflicting punishment or tormenting them. Those persons were never seen again.
They were sent by the gods to torment a certain Phineus, whom Jupiter had deprived of his sight, in punishment of his cruelty; and whenever a meal was placed before him the Harpies darted down from the air and carried it off. They were driven away from Phineus by the heroes of the Argonautic expedition, and took refuge in the island where Eneas now found them.
They robbed the food from Phineus, but were driven away by Cailas and Zetes, the Boreads.
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