Lamia

Lamia (lā`mēə), in Greek mythology, grief-crazed woman whose name was used to frighten children. Her own children were killed by Hera, who was jealous of Zeus' love for her; thereafter Lamia, out of envy for happy mothers, stole and killed the children of others. In later legend, the name Lamia was also used for a woman who lured a youth to his destruction.

---

Lamia

female spirit in serpent form; devours children. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 146; Br. Lit.: “Lamia” in Benét, 563]

See : Cannibalism

---

Lamia

scaly, four-legged, hermaphrodite creature. [Br. Folklore: Briggs, 260–262]

See : Monsters

---

Lamia

a city in central Greece, near the Gulf of Maliakos in the Aegean Sea, administrative center of the nome (department) of Phthiotis. Population, 37,800 (1971). The major activities are tobacco and cotton processing and the production of rugs. Lamia was founded in the fifth century B.C.