Greek Mythology >> Greek Gods >> Daemones (Spirits) >> Androctasiae (Androktasiai)

ANDROKTASIAI

Greek Name

Ανδροκτασια
Ανδροκτασιαι

Transliteration

Androktasia
Androktasiai

Latin Spelling

Androctasia
Androctasiae

Translation

Manslaughter,
Battle-slaughter

THE ANDROKTASIAI (Androctasiae) were the female spirits (daimones) of battlefield slaughter. They were similar to the Keres and were the companions of other battlefield daimones such as Eris and the Makhai (Machae).

PARENTS

ERIS (no father) (Hesiod Theogony 226)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Hesiod, Theogony 226 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) :
"But abhorred Eris (Strife) bare painful Ponos (Toil), and Lethe (Forgetfulness), and Limos (Starvation), and the Algea (Pains), full of weeping, the Hysminai (Fightings) and the Makhai (Battles), the Phonoi (Murders) and the Androktasiai (Manslaughters), the Neikea (Quarrels), the Pseudo-Logoi (Lies), the Amphilogiai (Disputes), and Dysnomia (Lawlessness) and Ate (Ruin), who share one another's natures, and Horkos (Oath)."

Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 139 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) :
"In his hands he [Herakles] took his shield, all glittering : no one ever broke it with a blow or crushed it. And a wonder it was to see . . . In the centre was Phobos (Fear) worked in adamant, unspeakable, staring backwards with eyes that glowed with fire. His mouth was full of teeth in a white row, fearful and daunting, and upon his grim brow hovered frightful Eris (Battle-Strife) who arrays the throng of men: pitiless she, for she took away the mind and senses of poor wretches who made war against the son of Zeus . . . Upon the shield Proioxis (Pursuit) and Palioxis (Flight) were wrought, and Homados (Tumult), and Phobos (Panic), and Androktasia (Slaughter). Eris (Battle-Strife) also, and Kydoimos (Cydoemus, Confusion) were hurrying about, and deadly Ker (Fate) was there holding one man newly wounded."