Lamia and her Metamorphosis

Abstract

The present research analyzes Lamia’s figure, thanks to literary and iconographic sources. The purpose is distinguishing Lamia from the other child-snatching female demons of Greek culture and understanding if her androgyny is an original element or if it is taken from the Near Middle East. Through the study of sources is possible to follow Lamia and all of her metamorphosis, in Greek culture and also in the Latin one.

Keywords

• lamia
• demoni rapitori
• pittore di beldam
• androginia
• lemures