Succubus

In medieval legend, a succubus (plural succubi; from Latin succubare, "to lie under") is a female demon which comes to men, especially monks, in their dreams to seduce them and have sexual intercourse, drawing energy from the men to sustain themselves, often until the point of exhaustion or death. This legend was probably an explanation for the phenomena of wet dreams and sleep paralysis. From mythology and fantasy, Lilith and the Lilin (Jewish), Lilitu (Sumerian) and Rusalka (Slavic) were succubi.

Related Topics:
Medieval - Legend - Latin - Demon - Men - Monk - Dream - Sexual intercourse - Death - Wet dream - Sleep paralysis - Mythology - Fantasy - Lilith - Lilin - Jewish - Sumer - Rusalka - Slavic

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According to the Malleus Maleficarum, or "Witches' Hammer", succubi would collect semen from the men they slept with, which incubi would then use to impregnate women. Children so begotten were supposed to be more susceptible to the influence of demons.

Related Topics:
Malleus Maleficarum - Incubi

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Honoré de Balzac wrote a short story The Succubus concerning a 1271 trial of a she-devil succubus in the guise of a woman, who amongst other things could use her hair to entangle victims.

Related Topics:
Honoré de Balzac - 1271 - Devil

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From the 16th century, the carving of a succubus on the outside of an inn indicated that the establishment also operated as a brothel.

Related Topics:
16th century - Inn - Brothel

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