[39] Σειρῆνας. The etymology of the name is doubtful. Some take it from “σειρά”, and so render it the ‘enchainers,’ with which we may compare the expression “δέσμιος ὕμνος” in Aesch. Eum.331; and A. 3. 311‘Monstra maris Sirenes erant, quae voce canora
quamlibet admissas detinuere rates.’ Others compare “Σείρ” (the sun) and “Σείριος” (the bright star); and others again refer to the root svar, ‘to sound sweetly.’ In Homer they are represented as two in number (cp. inf. 52 “Σειρήνοιιν”), living on one island (157). In later legend they appear as three or even four, living on three islets, “νησίδια τρία . . ἔρημα πετρώδη, ἃ καλοῦσι Σειρῆνας”. Their names are differently given. Eustath. calls the Homeric Sirens “Ἀγλαοφήμη” and “Θελξιέπεια”. When the Sirens were transferred, along with other Homeric marvels, to the coast of Italy, we find the names of “Παρθενόπη” (the Siren of Naples), “Λίγεια” and “Λευκωσία”, with sundry additions to the list, such as “Μολπή” and “Θελξινόη”. Ovid follows the legend that makes them daughters of the Achelous by one of the Muses, and he describes the form in which they were commonly represented, Metam. 5. 552 ‘Vobis, Acheloides, undepluma pedesque avium quum virginis ora geratis?’ Cp. Eur. Hel.167“πτεροφόροι νεάνιδες”,
“παρθένοι, Χθονὸς κόραι”,
“Σειρῆνες κ.τ.λ.” Claudian, when he calls the Sirens (epig. 40) ‘dulcia monstra,
blanda pericla maris, terror quoque gratus in undis,’ seems to express well the general notion conveyed by this legend. The Sirens appear to personify the hidden dangers of the calm sea (‘placidi pellacia ponti’), and their alluring song may represent the musical sounds of the water splashing in caves and over broken rocks. The whole idea is exactly reproduced in the stories of the Lorelei. Eur. Itshould be remarked here that one of the peculiar characteristics of the Sirens is their superhuman knowledge of the past and future, see inf. 189. Cp.
. Horace expresses the common view in his phrase, “ ‘Vitanda est improba Siren“ κἀγὼ κλύουσα τούσδε Σειρήνων λόγους,
σοφῶν, πανούργων, ποικίλων λαλημάτων,
ἐξηνεμώθην μωρίᾳ
”
desidia.’
”
