Concept in Definition ABC

An incubus is an evil being that acquires the appearance of a man and rapes women. This being is part of different European popular traditions and according to them it is the same demon who gets into the body of a man to sexually abuse women.

The belief in incubi was especially important during the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages popular culture was permeated with all kinds of superstitions. Thus, it was believed in the power of witches, in the evil eye, in alchemy and in different rituals and magic spells. At that time the diseases and ills that affected the humanity they were not explained from a perspective scientific but were regarded as divine punishment. In this context the incubi appear as evil creatures.

The legends of the incubi were analyzed by the court of the Inquisition. One of the concerns of the inquisitors was decide whether or not an incubus could beget a woman. This question was of great concern to the Church, because if an incubus impregnated a woman, this meant that the devil himself could have children with human appearance.

According to various literary references, the belief in the incubi it caused a panic situation among the women, as they feared that some men could be possessed by the devil.

Succubi were the female version of Incubi

Succubi were women who had been possessed by the devil and had sexual relations with men. According to some legends, the succubi stole semen from men and then offered it to these beings.

The alleged existence of incubi and succubi generated a strong reaction from the church. In this sense, persecution campaigns were launched against all those who could be suspects and many of the alleged incubi and succubi were executed.

The satyrs of Greek mythology are a precedent for incubi and succubi

Satyrs existed in the mythological narratives of ancient Greece. These creatures were half man and half ram, they had pointed ears, horns on their heads and abundant hair. The satyrs accompanied the Gods Pan and Dionysus through the forests and as they were very skilled in the dance and in the music they seduced nymphs and beautiful women and then raped them.

In mythological tales, satyrs are described as cheerful and friendly creatures, but at times they would get angry and become very violent beings. In many legends it is stated that the cruelty of the satyrs was caused by their great fondness for wine.

In the mythology In Greece, the satyrs were not the only cruel beings, as the gorgons, the hecatonchires and the Cyclops were also characterized by their extreme cruelty.

Photo: Fotolia - Kulichok