Machlyes
Ancient tribe described by Herodotus
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Nuremberg_chronicles_-_Strange_People_-_Androgyn_II_%28XIIv%29.jpg/220px-Nuremberg_chronicles_-_Strange_People_-_Androgyn_II_%28XIIv%29.jpg)
The Machlyes (Ancient Greek: Μάχλυες) were a legendary ancient Libyan tribe.
Ancient sources
According to Herodotus,[1] their young women held a ritual battle with sticks and stones annually with neighboring Auseans (Ancient Greek: Αὐσέες). Those who died of their wounds were said to have lied about their virginity.
Pliny the Elder claimed they were hermaphrodites that had a male half and a female half, possibly inspired by the martial practices of the females.[2][3]
In fiction
In the book Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs, the machlyes Achilla saves Gretchen from the merdaemon in the abysses.[citation needed]
References
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