--- In cybalist@..., "João S. Lopes Filho" <jodan99@...> wrote:
> The Erinyes/Furiae were called "Zeus's bitches" (in the canine
sense, of
> course). The idea is interesting, although I cant remember another
IE
> equivalents.
This seems to rather a dead end, IMO. Artemis was likewise called
the 'Great Bitch', but this was as the leader of hunting hounds.
Artemis had little appearance in the Iliad other than to be beat
silly and humiliated by Hera.
Dogs are associated with hunter- and huntress- god(esses) in the IE
mythologies, but they have nothing to do with madness. They are also
associated with the Underworld goddess as guardians. The Erinyes
might be considered an aspect of the hell-hounds, I guess.
Madness in Greek mythology was inflicted by Athena. This seems to
have been because she was associated with intellectual pursuits, and
madness was its opposite. This mirrors Apollo's role as a healer god
that also sent plagues. Dogs were not associated with Athena.