Empuse

Empuse is a demon of noon depicted in Aristophanes’ comedy The Frogs as a horrible specter with the ability to take various forms, including a dog, woman, ox, or viper. She has an atrocious gaze, one donkey’s foot and one human foot, and a flame around her head. Empuse seeks to harm others and is feared by Greek and Russian peasants during harvest times. It is believed that she can break the limbs of farmers and reapers unless they throw themselves to the ground upon seeing her. Additionally, Empuse and other noon demons are said to roam the streets in widow’s clothes, breaking the arms of those who dare to look at them.