Machlyes

Illustration in the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)

The Machlyes (Ancient Greek: Μάχλυες) were a legendary ancient Libyan tribe.

Ancient sources

According to Herodotus, their young women held a ritual battle with sticks and stones annually with neighboring Auseans (Ancient Greek: Αὐσέες). Those who died of their wounds were said to have lied about their virginity.^[1]

Pliny the Elder claimed they were hermaphrodites that had a male half and a female half, possibly inspired by the martial practices of the females.^[2][3]

In fiction

In the book Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs, the machlyes Achilla saves Gretchen from the merdaemon in the abysses.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "Herodotus's account of the Libyan female warriors in Corinthian helmets". Perseus Project. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
2. Pliny the Elder, Natural History, VII, ii, 15
3. "Machlyes". Theoi Greek Mythology. Retrieved 2008-12-28.