In Greek mythology the Erinyes (; sing. Erinys ; , pl. of , Erinys), also known as Furies, were female chthonic deities of vengeance; they were sometimes referred to as "infernal goddesses" . A formulaic oath in the Iliad invokes them as "those who beneath the earth punish whosoever has sworn a false oath". Burkert suggests they are "an embodiment of the act of self-cursing contained in the oath". They correspond to the Dirae in Roman mythology, and some suppose that they are called Furies in hell, Harpies on earth, and Dirae in heaven.