In Greek mythology, the Sirens sang melodies so beautiful that sailors passing their rocky island were lured to shipwreck and death. Homer, in the Odyssey, mentioned two Sirens; later, in the tales of the Argonauts, three are mentioned, each having the head of a woman and the body of a bird. Odysseus ordered his men to stop their ears with beeswax so that they could not hear the Sirens' songs and to tie him to the ship's mast so that he could not swim ashore. Jason and the Argonauts were saved when Orpheus, who accompanied them, played music that was even more enchanting. The jealous Sirens then jumped to their deaths in the sea.
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