Lilith In Greek & Roman Mythology

The Greek version of Lilith, or Lamia, paints a dark picture, portraying her as a vicious, cannibalistic, child-killing demon and vampire. She is a monstrous figure, with a normal human body from head to waist, and the body of a snake from the waist downwards; even her physical form revealing her twisted nature. Some Greek images portray her more gently, and more akin to the Sirens, with wings and the feet of a bird.

Lilith’s origins are uncertain, with some sources calling her the daughter of Hecate, perhaps born a monster or hybrid, while others claim that her monstrous nature began when she became one among many victims of Hera’s wild jealousy.

Lilith, like many women in Greek mythology, had a sexual relationship with Hera’s husband, Zeus, the king of the gods. Zeus even gave Lilith the gift of second sight, known as the “mark of Sibyl.” Mad with jealousy, Hera cursed Lilith to a childless life, and murdered all her living children save for Scylla. Hera also cursed Lilith’s gift of sight so that she would never be able to shut her eyes, forcing her to perpetually see and obsess over her dead children. Traumatized, Lilith became a monster and claimed her vengeance on all mothers by stealing and devouring their children.

Eventually Zeus took pity on Lilith and gave her the ability to take out her eyes, so that she would not be at all times haunted by the ghosts of her murdered children.

In addition to her cannibalism and child-murdering tendencies, Lilith was known for her vicious sexual appetite and vampiric spirit; she loved to drink men’s blood. She also spawned a class of demons called the Empusae who were ruled by Hecate, who would send to scare travelers to death, or to inhabit and consume people.