Machlyes

The Machlyes were an ancient Libyan tribe. According to Herodotus,^[1] their young women held a ritual battle with sticks and stones annually with neighboring Auseans.

In Medieval bestiaries, they were said to be a race of hermaphroditic humanoids with a male half and a female half, possibly inspired by the martial practices of the females.^[2]

In the book Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs, the machlyes Achilla saves Gretchen from the merdaemon in the abysses.

References

1. ↑ "Herodotus's account of the Libyan female warriors in Corinthian helmets". Perseus Project. Retrieved 2008-12-28. 
2. ↑ "Machlyes". Theoi Greek Mythology. Retrieved 2008-12-28.