Greek Mythology >> Greek Gods >> Daemones (Spirits) >> Machae (Makhai)

MAKHAI

Greek Name

Μαχη Μαχαι

Transliteration

Makhê, Makhai

Latin Spelling

Mache, Machae

Translation

Battle, Combat (makhê)

THE MAKHAI (Machae) were the personified spirits (daimones) of battle and combat.

The spirits Homados (Battle-Noise), Alala (War-Cry), Proioxis (Onrush), Palioxis (Backrush), Ioke (Onslaught), Alke (Battle-Strength) and Kydoimos (Confusion) were probably numbered amongst the Makhai.

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)."