stryngai
demonic intermediate Byzantine folklore single tradition · 1
The stryngai are beings that flew nocturnally, slipped unhindered into houses even when windows and doors were barred, and strangled infants. Michael Psellos of the 11th century inherited the notion that the stryngai and gelloudes were "interchangeable". He described them as beings that "suck blood and devour all the vital fluids which are in the little infant".
When
- First attested
- 600 CE
- Attested period
- 600 – 1000
- Historical notes
- Attested from the 7th century through the 11th century.
Relationships
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“The gelloudes were considered synonymous to the stryngai (στρίγγαι, Στρῦγγαι) or "witches" by him, and described as beings that flew nocturnally, slipped unhindered into houses even when windows and doors were barred, and strangled infants. The polymath Michael Psellos of the 11th century inherited the notion that the stryngai and gelloudes”
#6416 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001