Gello

What it is

Gello is a figure from Greek myth described as a female demon or ghost. She harms infants and causes pregnancy loss. Later texts call her kind gelloudes. These are night spirits that enter homes to kill babies. Some see them as old witches. Others see them as ghosts of dead virgins. They are linked to envy and the evil eye. Mothers fear them deeply.

Where it comes from

The name may come from Mesopotamian Gallû. This links it to sickness and death. Greeks also linked it to laughing faces. It resembles Gorgon grimaces. Zenobius says she died a virgin and returned to hurt others. Sappho mentions her in the sixth century BC. Hesychius calls her a ghost attacking virgins and babies. Later writers mixed her with Lamia and Mormo.

How it is done

People used many ways to stop these demons. Mothers wore amulets near their babies. They hung red coral or garlic heads. Some burned lamps before holy images. Baptism was thought to stop demon snatching. Charms listed specific items like hyena eyes in purple bags. Sleeping on donkey skin was also recommended. Prayers invoked saints to drive them away.

Tools and materials

Amulets often showed Saint Sisinnios fighting a demon. The Schlumberger No. 1 amulet shows a rider stabbing a creature. Inscriptions name Solomon and Sisinnios. Other charms used stones like galactite. These protected against envious women. Eyeballs of hyenas were placed in pouches. Garlic and coral were common household wards.

What it is for

The main goal was protecting newborns. Parents feared sudden infant death. They sought safety from strangling spirits. Amulets offered comfort and defense. Prayers asked for divine help. Saints were called upon to chase demons away. The rituals aimed to keep the home safe. They addressed fears of unseen harm.

Who does it

Mothers performed most protective rites. They chose amulets and prayers. Ecclesiastical trials judged accused women. Scholars studied the texts and beliefs. John of Damascus wrote about their nature. Michael Psellos described their actions. Leo Allatius recorded folk practices. He criticized pagan charms in favor of crosses.

Peoples and places

Greeks held these beliefs across centuries. Ancient sources mention the original demon. Byzantine writers expanded the concept. Medieval people kept the superstitions alive. Modern scholars analyze the texts. The belief spread through Greek writings. It influenced later demonology. The figures evolved from individuals to types.

What people believe

Demons were seen as sexless by the Church. Yet women were accused of being gelloudes. This created a theological conflict. Spirits were believed to steal milk. They could appear as flies or humans. Envy was a key trait of these beings. The evil eye was linked to their power. Saints had authority over them.

When it is done

Rites focused on the time of birth. New mothers needed protection immediately. Amulets were used right after delivery. Baptisms occurred early in life. No specific festivals are mentioned. The danger was constant for infants. Protection was needed daily.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers trace the name to Mesopotamia. West and Burkert support this view. Johnston uses the term aōrē for untimely dead. She links them to grave markers. Allatius criticized mixing Gello with Lilith. Psellus tried to find Hebrew origins. Scholars note the shift from virgin to witch.

Compare and confuse

Gello is often confused with Lamia. Mormo is another similar figure. Abyzou is linked in later texts. Lilith was wrongly connected by Psellus. Striges or witches became synonymous. The concepts merged over time. Different names refer to similar harms.

Questions people ask about Gello

Good reading and sources

• Gello on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data