Harpe

Short description: Type of sword featuring a sickle-like protuberance

For other uses, see Engineering:Harpe (disambiguation).

Artist rendition of a harpe sword

The harpē (ἅρπη) is a type of sword\- or sickle-like weapon mentioned in Greek and Roman sources, and almost always in mythological contexts.

## Contents

* 1 Harpe in mythology
* 2 Art representation
* 3 See also
* 4 Notes

## Harpe in mythology

The harpe is most notably identified as the weapon used by Cronus to castrate and depose his father, Uranus.[1] Alternately, that weapon is identified as a more traditional sickle or scythe.[according to whom?] The harpe, scythe or sickle was either a flint or adamantine (diamond) blade and was provided to Cronus by his mother, Gaia. According to an ancient myth recorded in Hesiod's Theogony, Uranus had cast his and Gaia's children, the Cyclopes and Hecatonchires, down into Tartarus. The enraged Gaia plotted Uranus' downfall. She implored each of her sons to rise up against Uranus but was refused by all but the youngest, Cronus. Gaia provided him with the weapon, and when Uranus next came to lie with Gaia, Cronus leapt up and castrated his father, overthrowing him and driving him away forever. Thus, the blade (whether harpe, sickle or scythe) became a symbol of Cronus's power.

Hermes, a grandson of Cronus, was said to have slain Argus Panoptes with a harpe to rescue Io. Hermes then lent his harpe to his half brother, Perseus, who is regularly depicted in statues and sculpture armed with the weapon in his quest to slay the Gorgon, Medusa, and the sea monster, Cetus (in other versions, Perseus used Medusa's head to petrify Cetus). Perseus was provided with such a sword by his father, Zeus (Cronus' youngest son and later overthrower), who also used the harpe to battle Typhon. Of Zeus's children, Hermes had also used the harpe to slay the titan Argus, and Heracles had defeated the Hydra with the same weapon. It is from these exchanges that the harpe got nicknames such as the Scythe of Cronus or the Sickle of Zeus.[2]

## Art representation

* The Mutilation of Uranus by Saturn by Giorgio Vasari depicts Cronus with a scythe

* Perseus depicted carrying a sickle on a collage vase.

* Roman Fresco of Villa San Marco in Stabiae depicting Perseus with a sickle after slaying Medusa.

* Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini depicts Perseus armed with a harpe sword when he beheaded Medusa.

* Perseus Triumphant depicts Perseus armed with a harpe sword when he beheaded Medusa.

In Greek and Roman art it is variously depicted, but it seems that originally it was a khopesh-like sickle-sword from Egypt.[3] Later depictions often show it as a combination of a sword and sickle, and this odd interpretation is explicitly described in the 2nd century Leucippe and Clitophon.[4] The image of Perseus shown with the sword is considered a modern representation by Benvenuto Cellini, an Italian sculptor and goldsmith. In ancient representation, the harpe can be seen on a collage vase in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. This piece shows Perseus after decapitating the Gorgon, Medusa, her head in the kibisis-bag shown in Perseus' left hand as he carries the harpe in his right as he runs to Athena. The image of Perseus is doubled to show his fast pace.[5]

## See also

* Fire Iron
* Gladius
* Harpax
* Iron Age sword
* Kama
* Kelantanese klewang
* Khopesh
* Kopis
* Kusarigama
* Makhaira
* Seven-Branched Sword
* Shotel
* Xiphos

## Notes

1. ↑ Hesiod Theogony 175
2. ↑ Bane, Theresa (2020). Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. pp. 84. ISBN 9781476639208.
3. ↑ Burton, Richard (1884). The Book of the Sword. Chatto and Windus. pp. 180. ISBN 9780598443311.
4. ↑ Achilles Tatius, Leucippe and Clitophon 3.7.8—9: neither shall they die in the right hand, neither shall they die, nor shall the sword be broken. If a man falls under my face, and if one half of the iron sword is in danger of dying, it is not.
5. ↑ "P23.19B PERSEUS & ATHENA". https://www.theoi.com/Gallery/P23.19B.html.

Template:Swords by region

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Notable swords

Historical|

| Eastern|

* Seven-Branched Sword
* Sugari no Ontachi
* Sword of Goujian
* Sword of Osman
* Sword of Victory
* Tenka-Goken

|

Western|

* Ballinderry Sword
* Blessed swords
* Colada
* Curtana
* Curved saber of San Martín
* Grunwald Swords
* Joyeuse
* Lobera
* Legbiter
* Sword of Islam
* Sword of Peter
* Sword of Saint Wenceslas
* Sword of State of South Carolina
* Sword of Stalingrad
* Szczerbiec
* Tizona
* Ulfberht swords
* Wallace Sword

Mythical or
legendary|

| Eastern|

* Asi
* Cura Si Manjakini
* Gan Jiang and Mo Ye
* Kris Mpu Gandring
* Kris Setan Kober
* Kris Taming Sari
* Kusanagi
* Nandaka
* Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar
* Thuận Thiên
* Totsuka-no-Tsurugi
* Zulfiqar

|

Western|

* Almace
* Caladbolg
* Carnwennan
* Claíomh Solais
* Clarent
* Dáinsleif
* Durendal
* Dyrnwyn
* Excalibur (Caledfwlch)
* Fragarach
* Gram
* Harpe
* Hauteclere
* Hǫfuð
* Hrotti
* Hrunting
* Kladenets
* Lævateinn
* Mimung
* Mistilteinn
* Murgleys
* Nægling
* Précieuse
* Ridill
* Skofnung
* Sword of Freyr
* Sword of Attila
* Sword of Damocles
* Tyrfing

Note: some of the existing swords are named after earlier legendary ones.

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Ancient Greek religion and mythology

Classical religious forms|

* Ancient Greek religion
* Gnosticism
* Paleo-Balkan mythology
* Proto-Indo-European religion
* Hellenistic religion
* Alchemy
* Orphism
* Pythagoreanism
* Mycenaean deities

Mystery religions
and sacred mysteries|

* Delos Mysteries
* Dionysian Mysteries
* Eleusinian Mysteries
* Imbrian Mysteries
* Mithraism
* Samotracian Mysteries

Main beliefs|

* Apotheosis
* Euhemerism
* Eusebeia
* Greek Heroic Age
* Interpretatio graeca
* Monism
* Mythology
* Nympholepsy
* Paganism
* Paradoxography
* Polytheism
* Theism

Texts/epic poems/odes|

* Aretalogy
* Argonautica
* Bibliotheca
* Cyranides
* Derveni papyrus
* Ehoiai
* Greek Magical Papyri
* Homeric Hymns
* Iliad
* Odyssey
* Interpretation of Dreams (Antiphon)
* Oneirocritica
* Papyrus Graecus Holmiensis
* Sibylline Books
* Telegony
* The golden verses of Pythagoras
* Theogony
* Works and Days
* Epic Cycle
* Theban Cycle

Rites and practices|

* Amphictyonic League
* Amphidromia
* Animal sacrifice
* Apotheosis
* Baptes
* Curse tablet
* Daduchos
* Delphinion
* Funeral and burial practices
* Hymns
* Hero cult
* Heroon
* Hierophany
* Hierophant
* Hierophylakes
* Hieros gamos
* Hypsistarians
* Iatromantis
* Interpretatio graeca
* Kanephoros
* Kykeon
* Libations
* Mystagogue
* Nekyia
* Necromancy
* Necromanteion
* Nymphaeum
* Panegyris
* Pharmakos
* Prayers
* Orgia
* Sacrifices
* Temenos
* Thyia
* Temples
* Votive offerings

Sacred places|

| Oracles, sanctuaries,
Necromanteion|

* Aornum
* Delphi
* Didymaion
* Dodona
* Oracle of Menestheus
* Tegyra

|

Mountain|

* Cretea
* Mount Ida (Crete)
* Mount Ida (Turkey)
* Mount Lykaion
* Olympus

Caves|

* Cave of Zeus, Aydın
* Cave of Zeus, Crete
* Psychro Cave
* Vari Cave

Islands|

* Achilles island
* Delos

Others|

* Athenian sacred ships
* Eleusis
* Hiera Orgas
* Kanathos
* Olympia
* Sacred Way

Mythical beings|

* Dragons in Greek mythology
* Greek mythological creatures
* Greek mythological figures
* List of minor Greek mythological figures

Deities|

| Primordial deities|

* Aether
* Aion
* Ananke
* Chaos
* Chronos
* Erebus
* Eros
* Gaia
* Hemera
* Nyx
* Phanes
* Pontus
* Thalassa
* Tartarus
* Uranus

|

Titans|

| First generation|

* Coeus
* Crius
* Cronus
* Hyperion
* Iapetus
* Mnemosyne
* Oceanus
* Phoebe
* Rhea
* Tethys
* Theia
* Themis

|

Second generation|

* Asteria
* Astraeus
* Atlas
* Eos
* Epimetheus
* Helios
* Leto
* Menoetius
* Metis
* Pallas
* Perses
* Prometheus
* Selene

Third generation|

* Hecate
* Hesperus
* Phosphorus

Twelve Olympians|

* Aphrodite
* Apollo
* Ares
* Artemis
* Athena
* Demeter
* Dionysus
* Hephaestus
* Hera
* Hermes
* Hestia
* Poseidon
* Zeus

Aquatic deities|

* Amphitrite
* Alpheus
* Ceto
* Glaucus
* The Naiads
* The Nereids
* Nereus
* The Oceanids
* Phorcys
* Poseidon
* The Potamoi
* Potamides
* Proteus
* Scamander
* Thaumas
* Thetis
* Triton

Love deities|

| Erotes|

* Anteros
* Eros
* Hedylogos
* Hermaphroditus
* Himeros
* Hymen/Hymenaeus
* Pothos

|

* Aphrodite
* Aphroditus
* Philotes
* Peitho

War deities|

* Adrestia
* Alala
* Alke
* Amphillogiai
* Androktasiai
* Ares
* Athena
* Bia
* Deimos
* Enyalius
* Enyo
* Eris
* Gynaecothoenas
* Homados
* Hysminai
* Ioke
* Keres
* Kratos
* Kydoimos
* Ma
* Machai
* Nike
* Palioxis
* Pallas
* Perses
* Phobos
* Phonoi
* Polemos
* Proioxis

Chthonic deities|

| Psychopomps|

* Hermanubis
* Hermes
* Thanatos

|

* Achlys
* Angelos
* Hades / Pluto
* Hecate
* Hypnos
* Keres
* Lampad
* Macaria
* Melinoë
* Persephone

Health deities|

* Aceso
* Aegle
* Artemis
* Apollo
* Asclepius
* Chiron
* Eileithyia
* Epione
* Hebe
* Hygieia
* Iaso
* Paean
* Panacea
* Telesphorus

Sleep deities|

* Empusa
* Epiales
* Hypnos
* Pasithea
* Oneiroi

Messenger deities|

* Angelia
* Arke
* Hermes
* Iris

Trickster deities|

* Apate
* Dolos
* Hermes
* Momus

Magic deities|

* Circe
* Hecate
* Hermes Trismegistus

Other major deities|

* Azone
* Eileithyia
* The Erinyes
* Harmonia
* The Muses
* Nemesis
* Pan
* Unknown God
* Zelus

Heroes/heroines|

* Abderus
* Achilles
* Actaeon
* Aeneas
* Argonauts
* Ajax the Great
* Ajax the Lesser
* Akademos
* Amphiaraus
* Amphitryon
* Antilochus
* Atalanta
* Autolycus
* Bellerophon
* Bouzyges
* Cadmus
* Chrysippus
* Cyamites
* Daedalus
* Diomedes
* Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux)
* Echetlus
* Eleusis
* Erechtheus
* Eunostus
* Ganymede
* Hector
* Heracles
* Icarus
* Iolaus
* Jason
* Meleager
* Odysseus
* Oedipus
* Orpheus
* Pandion
* Peleus
* Pelops
* Penthesilea
* Perseus
* Theseus
* Triptolemus

Mythical tribes|

* Amazons
* Anthropophage
* Atlantians
* Bebryces
* Curetes
* Dactyls
* Gargareans
* Halizones
* Korybantes
* Lapiths
* Lotus-eaters
* Myrmidons
* Pygmies
* Telchines

Oracles/seers|

* Aesacus
* Aleuas
* Amphiaraus
* Amphilochus
* Ampyx
* Anius
* Asbolus
* Bakis
* Branchus
* Calchas
* Carnus
* Carya
* Cassandra
* Delphic Sibyl
* Elatus
* Ennomus
* Epimenides
* Halitherses
* Helenus
* Iamus
* Idmon
* Manto
* Melampus
* Mopsus
* Munichus
* Phineus
* Polyeidos
* Polypheides
* Pythia
* Sibyl
* Telemus
* Theiodamas
* Theoclymenus
* Tiresias

Magic|

* Apotropaic magic
* Greek Magical Papyri
* Pella curse tablet
* Philia

Mythical realms|

* Aethiopia
* Atlantis
* Erytheia
* Hyperborea
* Libya
* Nysa
* Ogygia
* Panchaia
* Scheria
* Scythia
* Themiscyra

Underworld|

| Entrances to
the underworld|

| Rivers|

* Acheron
* Cocytus
* Eridanos
* Lethe
* Phlegethon
* Styx

|

Lakes/swamps|

* Acherusia
* Avernus Lake
* Lerna Lake

Caves|

| Charoniums|

* Charonium at Aornum
* Charonium at Acharaca

|

* Cave at Cape Matapan
* Cave at Lake Avernus
* Cave at Heraclea Pontica

Ploutonion|

* Ploutonion at Acharaca
* Ploutonion at Eleusis
* Ploutonion at Hierapolis

Places|

* Elysium
* Erebus
* Fields of Asphodel
* Fields of Punishment
* Isles of the Blessed
* Tartarus

Judges|

* Aeacus
* Minos
* Rhadamanthus

Guards|

* Cerberus

Ferryman|

* Charon
* Charon's obol

Symbols/objects|

* Bident
* Cap of invisibility

Animals, daemons
and spirits|

* Ascalaphus
* Ceuthonymus
* Eurynomos
* Hade's cattle

Mythological wars|

* Amazonomachy
* Attic War
* Centauromachy
* Gigantomachy
* Cranes-Pygmies war
* Theomachy
* Titanomachy
* Trojan War

Mythological and
religious objects|

* Adamant
* Aegis
* Ambrosia
* Apple of Discord
* Ara
* Baetylus
* Caduceus
* Cornucopia
* Dragon's teeth
* Diipetes
* Galatea
* Golden apple
* Golden Fleece
* Gorgoneion
* Greek terracotta figurines
* Harpe
* Ichor
* Lotus tree
* Minoan sealstone
* Moly
* Necklace of Harmonia
* Omphalos
* Orichalcum
* Palladium
* Panacea
* Pandora's box
* Petasos (Winged helmet)
* Philosopher's stone
* Ring of Gyges
* Rod of Asclepius
* Sacrificial tripod
* Sceptre
* Shield of Achilles
* Shirt of Nessus
* Sword of Damocles
* Talaria
* Thunderbolt
* Thymiaterion
* Thyrsus
* Trident
* Trojan Horse
* Winnowing Oar
* Wheel of Fortune
* Wheel of fire
* Xoanon

Symbols|

* Arkalochori Axe
* Labrys
* Ouroboros
* Owl of Athena

Mythological powers|

* Divination
* Eidolon
* Eternal youth
* Evocation
* Fortune-telling
* Immortality
* Language of the birds
* Nympholepsy
* Magic
* Ornithomancy
* Shamanism
* Shapeshifting
* Weather modification

Storage containers,
cups, vases|

* Amphora
* Calathus
* Chalice
* Ciborium
* Cotyla
* Hydria
* Hydriske
* Kalpis
* Kantharos
* Kernos
* Kylix
* Lebes
* Lekythos
* Loutrophoros
* Oenochoe
* Pelike
* Pithos
* Skyphos
* Stamnos
* Urn

Musical Instruments|

* Aulos
* Barbiton
* Chelys
* Cithara
* Cochilia
* Crotalum (Castanets)
* Epigonion
* Kollops
* Lyre
* Pan flute
* Pandura
* Phorminx
* Psaltery
* Salpinx
* Sistrum
* Tambourine
* Trigonon
* Tympanum
* Water organ

Games|

| Panhellenic Games|

* Olympic Games
* Pythian Games
* Nemean Games
* Isthmian Games

|

* Agon
* Panathenaic Games
* Rhieia

Festivals/feasts|

* Actia
* Adonia
* Agrionia
* Amphidromia
* Anthesteria
* Apellai
* Apaturia
* Aphrodisia
* Arrhephoria
* Ascolia
* Bendidia
* Boedromia
* Brauronia
* Buphonia
* Chalceia
* Diasia
* Delphinia
* Dionysia
* Ecdysia
* Elaphebolia
* Gamelia
* Haloa
* Heracleia
* Hermaea
* Hieromenia
* Iolaia
* Kronia
* Lenaia
* Lykaia
* Metageitnia
* Munichia
* Oschophoria
* Pamboeotia
* Pandia
* Plynteria
* Pyanopsia
* Skira
* Synoikia
* Soteria
* Tauropolia
* Thargelia
* Theseia
* Thesmophoria

Vessels|

* Argo
* Phaeacian ships

Modern offshoot religions|

* Discordianism
* Gaianism
* Feraferia
* Hellenism

Modern popular culture|

* Greek mythology in popular culture

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