The Machae
Personifications of Battle
Member of the Family of Eris
AbodeUnderworld (possibly)
Personal information
ParentsEris[1]
SiblingsLethe, Ponos, Algos, Hysminai, Limos, Phonoi, Androktasiai, Neikea, Amphillogiai, Pseudea, Logoi, Dysnomia, Atë, Horkos

In Greek mythology, the Machae or Machai (/ˈmæk/; Ancient Greek: Μάχαι Mákhai, "battles"; singular: Μάχη Mákhē) were the daemons (spirits) of battle and combat.

Family

The Machai were the children of Eris[2] and siblings to other vicious personifications like the Hysminai, the Androktasiai, and the Phonoi.

And hateful Eris bore painful Ponos ("Hardship"),
Lethe ("Forgetfulness") and Limos ("Starvation") and the tearful Algea ("Pains"),
Hysminai ("Battles"), Makhai ("Wars"), Phonoi ("Murders"), and Androktasiai ("Manslaughters");
Neikea ("Quarrels"), Pseudea ("Lies"), Logoi ("Stories"), Amphillogiai ("Disputes")
Dysnomia ("Anarchy") and Ate ("Ruin"), near one another,
and Horkos ("Oath"), who most afflicts men on earth,
Then willing swears a false oath.[3][4]

Mythology

The daemons Homados (Battle-Noise), Alala (War-Cry), Proioxis (Onrush), Palioxis (Backrush) and Kydoimos (Confusion)[5] were closely associated with the Machai.

They were accompanied in battlefields by other deities and spirits associated with war and death, such as Ares, Phobos, Deimos, the Keres, Polemos, Enyo, and their mother Eris.

Popular culture

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Hesiod, Theogony 228
  2. ^ Hesiod, Theogony 228
  3. ^ Caldwell, p. 42 lines 226-232, with the meanings of the names (in parentheses), as given by Caldwell, p. 40 on lines 212–232.
  4. ^ Hesiod, Theogony 226–232 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 139 ff.

References