Greek Name
Επιαλης Επιαλτης
Transliteration
Epialês, Epialtês
Latin Spelling
Epiales, Epialtes
Translation
Nightmare (epialtês)
EPIALES was the personified spirit (daimon) of nightmares. He was also known as the melas oneiros "black dream". Epiales was probably numbered amongst the Oneiroi (Dream-Spirits), sons of the goddess Nyx (Night).
The Greek word epialês was derived from the verb epiallô "to lay upon."
PARENTS
Probably NYX, though nowhere stated
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Greek Lyric I Alcaeus, Frag 406 (from Etymologicum Genuinum 151) :
"The words epialos, epiales and epioles denote (1) the feverish chill (2) the daimon who assaults sleepers.Homer and most writers have epioles with the e; the form in -os means something different, namely the feverish chill . . . Alkaios (Alcaeus) called it epialos.Apollonios says that Epialtes itself (the nighmare daimon) is called Epiales and by a change of a to o Epioles."
Aeschylus, Suppliant Women 886 ff (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"[The goddess Gaia (Earth) is invoked to drive away a nightmare :] Like a spider, he [a rapist] is carrying me [a woman] seaward step by step--a nightmare (oneiros), a black nightmare (melas oneiros)! Oh! Oh! Mother Earth (Ma Ge), mother Earth (Ma Ge), avert his fearful cries! O father Zeus, son of Ge (Earth)!"
SOURCES
GREEK
- Greek Lyric I Alcaeus, Fragments - Greek Lyric C6th B.C.
- Aeschylus, Suppliant Women - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
OTHER SOURCES
Other references not currently quoted here: Phrynincus Comicus 1, Dioscorides 3.140, Artemidorus 2.37, Rufus ap. Orib. 7.26.177, Strabo 1.2.8.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.
