HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z entire Web this site Iris The messenger of the gods in the Iliad, an office which belongs to Hermes in the Odyssey. Iris (originally a personification of the rainbow) was the daughter of Thaumas and Electra, and sister of the Harpies. In the earlier poets she is a virgin goddess, but later writers make her wife of Zephyrus, and mother of Eros. She is frequently represented on vases and in bas-reliefs as a youthful winged virgin, dressed in a long tunic, with a herald's staff and a pitcher in her hands. Related entry    • Iris, the asteroid (Encyclopedia of Science) Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Science Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living BACK TO TOP