In Virgil’s Aeneid, Aeneas and his men who fled the Troy reach the harpy island. Men slaughter and feast on wild cattle that belonged to the bird-maidens. Enraged by their behaviour, Celaeno (the dark harpy) curses them. She says that Troyans will reach Italy, but until then, they will suffer from big famine.
” you shall go to Italy, and enter her harbours freely: but you will not surround the city granted you with walls until dire hunger, and the sin of striking at us, force you to consume your very tables with devouring jaws.”
– Watercolor on paper
