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Lamia |
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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 How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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[53] In Apuleius's Metamorphoses women change their shapes by rubbing themselves with ointment, there are lamiae noxiis (horrible witches), taeterrimaeque Furiae (hideous Furies), [54] cantatrices anus (old enchantresses), [55] Thessalian witches who bite the face of a corpse, [56] and have the supernatural power to bring down the sky, raise the spirits of the dead and make men fall in love with them. |
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