Blemmyae

nature_spirit earth Greek single tradition · 1

The Blemmyae are a legendary race described by ancient naturalists as having no heads, with their mouths and eyes located on their chests. They are often identified with the headless peoples mentioned in classical sources. Their mythic status places them among the exotic peoples of antiquity.

When

First attested
0 CE
Attested period
0 – 100
Historical notes
Attested in Pliny's Natural History (1st century CE).

Sources

encyclopedia (1)
  1. peer reviewed

Source passages

“the name is also given to certain legendary races described by ancient naturalists and geographers as having no heads, their mouths and eyes being in their breasts, generally identified with Pliny’s Blemmyae.”

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