Iris I ruhs

The Wind-Footed Messenger of the Gods
Iris in The Iliad (reference)
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The Wind-Footed Messenger of the Gods

The messenger of Zeus and goddess of the Rainbow. Iris is the daughter of Thaumas and Elektra (Electra) and the wife of Zephyrus (West Wind). She flys from place to place as the faithful voice of Zeus. Her words were never doubted and her presence commands respect amongst Immortals and mortals alike. Her sisters are the winged-women known as the Harpies. When the Argonauts were trying to chase the Harpies away from the blind seer, Phineus, Zeus sent Iris to warn the aggressive sailors not to harm the Harpies. (Argonautika, book 2, lines 288+) (Theogony, line 265-270)

She plays an essential role in The Iliad as the messenger of Zeus. She is also loyal to other Immortals, such as Aphrodite (goddess of Love). When Aphrodite was wounded at Troy, Iris helped her into Ares’s war chariot and drove the injured goddess to Mount Olympos (Olympus) to be treated for her wounds.

Her name means ‘rainbow’, thus implying that her presence is a sign of Hope.

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Iris in The Iliad (listed by book and line)

02.786 ...Iris goes to the Trojans with a message
02.790 ...Swift running Iris assumes the guise of Priam’s son, Polites
02.795 ...Iris, in the guise of Polites, addresses the assembled Trojans; she advises Hektor (Hector) to allow each commander to direct his own troops
02.807 ...Hektor (Hector) heeded the word of the goddess, Iris, and went to alert the troops
03.121 ...Iris, in the guise of the woman Laodike (Laodice), goes to Helen
03.129 ...The disguised Iris stands beside Helen and urges her to go to the walls of Troy so she can see the battle
05.353 ...The wounded Aphrodite withdraws from the battlefield assisted by Iris
05.368 ...Swift Iris helps the wounded Aphrodite to Mount Olympos (Olympus) and then tends the horses of Ares’ chariot while Aphrodite gets help from her mother, Dione
08.398 ...Zeus sends Iris to turn back Hera and Athene (Athena) as they leave Mount Olympos (Olympus) with the intention of assisting the Argives
08.409 ...Iris, storm footed, takes Zeus’ message from Mount Ida to Hera and Athene (Athena) as they leave Mount Olympos (Olympus)
08.425 ...After delivering Zeus’ message to Hera and Athene (Athena), Iris departs
11.185 ...From Mount Ida, Zeus sends Iris with a message to Hektor (Hector) and urges him to hold back until Agamemnon is wounded and then to press the fight to the beached ships
11.195 ...Iris descends Mount Ida with a message for Hektor (Hector)
11.200 ...Iris speaks to Hektor (Hector) and tells him to hold back until Agamemnon is wounded and then to press the fight to the beached ships
11.201 ...Iris tells Hektor (Hector) that Zeus, her father, has sent her to him
11.210 ...After delivering Zeus’ message, Iris leaves Hektor (Hector)
15.055 ...After being lulled to sleep by the trickery of Hera and Hypnos (Sleep), Zeus sends Hera to summon Iris and Apollon
15.144 ...On Mount Olympos (Olympus), Hera informs Apollon and Iris that Zeus wants them to come to Mount Ida
15.150 ...Apollon and Iris leave Mount Olympos (Olympus) like a flash
15.157 ...Zeus gives Iris a message for Poseidon which warns him to quit the battle and either return to Mount Olympos (Olympus) or go into the sea
15.168 ...Iris left Mount Ida towards Troy like a blast of bright air
15.172 ...Iris stands beside Poseidon on the battlefield and gives him Zeus’ message about leaving the battlefield or facing Zeus’ wrath
15.184 ...Poseidon tells Iris that he, Zeus and Hades were born to Rheia (Rhea) and Kronos (Cronos)
15.190 ...Poseidon tells Iris that lots were drawn for the division of creation and he won the sea, Zeus won the sky and Hades drew the lot for the mists and darkness
15.200 ...Wind footed Iris asks Poseidon if she should relay his angry words to Zeus
15.206 ...Poseidon praises Iris for being a messenger who understands justice
18.166 ...Hera sent Iris with a secret message to Akhilleus (Achilles) about the death of Patroklos (Patroclus)
18.170 ...Iris urges Akhilleus (Achilles) into action and tells him of the death of Patroklos (Patroclus)
18.182 ...Akhilleus (Achilles) asks Divine Iris who has sent her to him
18.183 ...Iris tells Akhilleus (Achilles) that Hera has sent her secretly to him
18.196 ...Iris tells Akhilleus (Achilles) to go to the battlement and to let the soldiers of both armies see him; she says that the Argives will be encouraged and the Trojans will be frightened
18.202 ...As Iris leaves Akhilleus (Achilles), Athene (Athena) invisibly puts the aegis of Zeus about his shoulders
23.198 ...When the funeral pyre for Patroklos (Patroclus) will not light, Akhilleus (Achilles) prays to Boreas (North Wind) and Zephyros (West Wind); Iris hears the prayer and goes to inform the Winds
23.204 ...At the house of Zephyros (West Wind), Iris tells the assembled Winds that Akhilleus (Achilles) has prayed for their help
24.077 ...Zeus sends Iris to Thetis with a message about Akhilleus (Achilles)
24.082 ...After plunging into the sea between the islands of Samos and Imbros, Iris found Thetis with her sisters in a cave
24.087 ...Iris tells Thetis to rise up and obey the summons of Zeus
24.095 ...Thetis donned a black veil and followed Iris as the waves opened before the divine messenger
24.143 ...Zeus tells Iris to go to Priam and instruct him to ransom the body of his dead son, Hektor (Hector), from Akhilleus (Achilles)
24.159 ...Iris goes to Ilion and the house of Priam
24.169 ...Iris speaks to Priam in a small voice and says that she is the messenger of Zeus
24.171 ...Iris tells Priam to take heart because she brings good news from Zeus
24.188 ...After telling Priam to prepare a ransom for the body of his dead son, Hektor (Hector), Iris leaves Troy

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