Lamiai

The lamiai was a vampire legend originating in Greece.

The lamiai was named after Lamia, a queen of Libya in Greek mythology. They were known as primarily demonic beings who sucked blood from young children. According to legend, they had the power to transform into the shape of beautiful young women, making it easy for them to seduce men.

Lamiai were known to live in caves and damp places. They tended to avoid temperature extremes, dry places, and extremely wet places. They preferred both heat and water for survival, especially when in their half-snake form.

Stories say that the creature functions on a four-month schedule and every four months, she will shed her skin from the stomach down. She will alternate between a serpent body and a female one every four months.

From the waist up, the Lamiai will always appear like a women, but she will have a Jacobson’ organ and a forked tongue. They are unable to close their eyes, just like Lamia; they do have eyelids, but they are immobile.

Lamiai prey on humans, preferring children.

This legend reappeared in the fifteenth century when Angelo Poliziano of Florence published a poem, Lamia (1492). Soon after, several poets including John Keats released poetry under the same name. Soon, August Enna wrote an opera called Lamia .