We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
History

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Blemmyes?

Niki Acker
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 14,290
Share

Blemmyes are mythological monsters described by Pliny the Elder in Naturalis Historia (circa 77 CE). In later histories of the Roman era, the name became associated with a real African ethnic group, the Beja people. The Beja known as Blemmyes by the later Romans were a nomadic tribe who engaged in a number of military struggles with the Romans.

In Naturalis Historia, Pliny the Elder describes Blemmyes as acephalous, or headless, with mouths and eyes on their chest. Similar creatures were later described in other works of so-called natural history. Following the tradition of ascribing monstrous attributes to little known people and places, Sir Walter Raleigh places them in the New World and calls them Ewaipanoma in his 1595 Discovery of Guiana.

The creatures later entered English folklore as anthropophagi, or man-eaters. Shakespeare mentions them in The Merry Wives of Windsor (1602) and Othello (1605). Blemmyes also appeared in various European encyclopedias of the Middle Ages.

The historic Blemmyes lived mainly in modern-day Sudan. They were Egyptian Nubians, and their major deities included Isis, Mandulis, and Anhur. The Greek geographer Strabo, writing in the century before Pliny, described them as peaceful people. However, by the end of the 2nd century CE, they had become a significant military power.

In 194 CE, the Blemmyes aided Pescennius Niger in his fight against Septimius Severus to gain the Imperial seat. Septimius Severus ultimately prevailed. Throughout the 3rd century CE, the Blemmyes engaged Romans in battle a number of times, often fighting on the side of would-be Roman usurpers.

The Blemmyes also invaded Lower Egypt, or Thebes, no less then five times. This posed a particular problem for the Romans, as the area was the center of grain production for the empire. Though the Blemmyes often put up a strong fight, they were ultimately no match for Roman military forces.

The Blemmyes suffered a crushing defeat under Marcus Aurelius Probus in 279-280 CE. However, they again invaded Egypt, along with the Nobatae tribe, during the reign of Diocletian. In 298 CE, the Emperor negotiated a peace treaty with the tribes, withdrawing Rome's borders north to Philae and giving the two tribes an annual gold stipend.

Share
Historical Index is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Niki Acker
By Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a Historical Index editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range of interesting and unusual topics to gather ideas for her own articles. A graduate of UCLA with a double major in Linguistics and Anthropology, Niki's diverse academic background and curiosity make her well-suited to create engaging content for WiseGeekreaders. "
Discussion Comments
Niki Acker
Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a Historical Index editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.historicalindex.org/what-are-blemmyes.htm
Copy this link
Historical Index, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Historical Index, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.