Prepare to enter the shadowy edges of myth—where legends are not just told, but brought to life. The images above are brilliant depictions by other artists, visualizing one of ancient myth’s most mysterious and unsettling creatures: the Blemmyes. One of a few new characters incorporated in the newly reimagined Oedipus Rex novella, “ATheban Tale,” that will be independently published and serialized into a bi-weekly series by Art, Trade & Lifestyle beginning on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025.
In A Theban Tale, the Blemmyes step out of the darkest corners of ancient imagination and into the heart of the story. These fearsome beings, born from Greco-Roman legend, are unlike any creature you’ve encountered: headless giants with gaping mouths set into their chests, their gaze both unsettling and hypnotic.
Once feared as monsters in the wild lands beyond the Nile and rumored to haunt the edges of the Greek world, the Blemmyes now stalk the streets and ruins of Thebes. Armed with brute strength, a primal cunning, and a hunger for chaos, they are more than just adversaries—they are a sign that the boundaries between myth and reality are crumbling.
But where do the Blemmyes come from? Ancient storytellers whispered that these creatures were cursed by the gods, doomed to wander without sight or sense—forever searching for a place in the world of men. In A Theban Tale, they are not simply monsters; they are survivors, forming uneasy alliances and challenging heroes at every turn.
Now, as Thebes faces new prophecies and ancient threats, the Blemmyes have become a force to be reckoned with. Are they enemies, allies, or something more? Only time—and the unfolding story—will tell.
Stay tuned for more tales of gods, beasts & sorcery.
paperanddice.wordpress.com/2018/05/21/Blemmyes
