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The Blemmyes: exploring the mythical headless people of medieval lore [1]

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Date: 2025-07-11

For over fifteen centuries, European and Middle Eastern writers were entranced by tales of the Blemmyes — a mythical tribe of headless beings whose faces emerged from their chests. First described by Herodotus in the 4th century BCE as people "that have their eyes in their breasts," these fascinating creatures captured imaginations across cultures and ages.

The legend of the Blemmyes wound its way through medieval manuscripts, travelers' tales, and even found voice in Shakespeare's genius, who spoke of men "whose heads do grow beneath their shoulders" in both Othello and The Tempest. From 1175 to 1724, illuminated manuscripts brought these beings to life in countless variations.

The surviving illustrations range from the haunting to the whimsical – some Blemmyes brandish weapons while others appear gentle and retiring. Yet across all their incarnations, these peculiar headless beings possess an undeniable charm that continues to captivate viewers to this day.



See also: An 'urban legend' documented in the scientific literature

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