"Stymphalian" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Stymphalian" Meaning

The word "Stymphalian" is derived from the name "Stymphalos", which is a reference to the Stymphalian Birds, a legendary species of man-eating birds in Greek mythology.

In mythology, the Stymphalian Birds were a flock of ferocious birds that were driven away by Heracles (also known as Hercules) as one of his twelve labors. The birds were said to have sharp beaks, hook-like claws, and a glob of dung on the tip of their beaks that was used as a projectile.

The word is sometimes used metaphorically to describe something that is fierce, menacing, or difficult to deal with.

"Stymphalian" Examples

Stymphalian

Noun

1. In Greek mythology, the Stymphalian birds were a group of man-eating birds with sharp claws and beaks. Perdix, a wise man, advised Theseus to use krotala, bird-scaring clubs, to flush out the birds for his battle against them. With the help of Athena and Iolaus, Theseus found the Stymphalian birds and was able to kill and devour them.
2. The Stymphalian birds are also known as Boeotian birds or Stymphalides. They are identified as flocks of birds that are placed on the walls of Paestum, a location in southern Italy.
3. The Stymphalian birds are the topic of several Renaissance paintings. Some of them feature, on one side, man-eating birds associated with the Italian Renaissance landscape. On the other, they represent negative impediments in the world of the artist.

Adjective

The term "Stymphalian" refers to something related to or suggestive of ferocity.