Lamia - devourer of children (devoradora de crianças)

Several Greek legends saw this daughter of Poseidon and queen of Libya as a devourer of children. According to some accounts, she killed the children she had from her affair with Zeus at birth. The term “Lamia” was applied to any monster, witch or evil spirit. The lower part of her body often appears represented as a serpent's tail. Diodorus Siculus (Library, XX, 41) mentions her ugliness. John Keats (19th century) dedicated a poem to her.


Várias lendas gregas consideravam esta filha de Poseidon e rainha da Líbia como devoradora de crianças. Dos seus amores com Zeus teria matado os filhos à nascença. Por Lamias entendia-se qualquer monstro, bruxa ou espírito maligno. A parte inferior do seu corpo aparece muitas vezes representada como cauda de serpente. Diodoro da Sicília (Biblioteca, XX, 41) menciona a sua fealdade. John Keats (séc. XIX) dedicou-lhe um poema.

John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)-'Lamia and the soldier'-oil on canvas-1905

John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)-'Lamia'-oil on canvas-1909

Herbert James Draper (1863-1920)-'Lamia'-oil on canvas-1909

Edward Topsell (ca 1572-1625)-'Lamia'-illustration-1607 History of Four-footed Beasts and Serpents (illustration 85)

Isobel Lilian Gloag (1868-1917)-'the kiss of enchantress'-oil on canvas-1890