The Probert Encyclopaedia of Greek & Roman Mythology

SIRENS

The Sirens (Acheloides) were daughters of the river-god Achelous and the Muse Melpomene. They had been nymphs and playmates of Persephone, but for not protecting her when she was carried off by Pluto, they were transformed into beings half-woman and half-bird by Demeter. Later they were transformed into half-woman and half-fish. By other accounts they were birds with women's heads and lions' claws. The Sirens lived on a barren island, one of the entrances to the underworld, and whenever ships passed they sang, hoping to entice Persephone. Their singing was so beautiful that no human could resist it, and the ships sailed ever closer to the lips of hell. Each time the Sirens realized that Persephone was not on board, they swooped on the ship and tore its sailor's limb from limb sending their souls unburied to the underworld.
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