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In Greek mythology, the Empusa (or Empousa, gr-. Ἔμπουσα) was a female supernatural monster or demoness. Hecate sent Empusa to harass travelers. It scared to death or ate anybody that travelled along the paths or roads it inhabited. The empusae are sometimes described as having donkey-like features.
It was believed usually to appear with one leg of brass and the other of an ass. (Aristoph Ran. 294, Eccles. 1094.) Whenever a traveller addressed the monster with insulting words, it used to flee and utter a shrill sound. (Philostr Vit. Apoll. ii. 4.) The Lamiae and Mormolyceia, who assumed the form of handsome women for the purpose of attracting young men, and then sucked their blood like vampyrs and ate their flesh, were reckoned among the Empusae. (Philostr Vit. Apoll. iv. 25; Suid. s. v.)
More recent Greek tales describe the creature as a merely frightening shapeshifter, but blame it for injuring sheep.
The Empusae are similar to the lilim, and the legend of the former may be derived from that of the latter. See also Lamia.
See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings
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