Akkadian,  Demonic,  R,  Spirits,  Vampires

Rabisu/Rōbēs

The Rabisu are vampiric spirits from ancient Akkadian myth. Their name means “evil fiend” or “evil croucher.” They’re ambush predators that stalk from the shadows and lunge at unsuspecting humans to drain their life force. They are known to cooperate amongst each other and even with other creatures like Labartu. They often appear in nightmares and hide out in rarely visited places. Rabisu would often be a term placed before various forms of demons, and at one time a Rabisu was a high official just under a judge much like a magistrate, with the name changing context due to the fear of the power these people held. People who can sense the supernatural know a Rabisu is near when their hair stands on end.

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.

Barmash, Pamela. Homicide in the Biblical World. India, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Ford, Michael. Maskim Hul: Babylonian Magick. United Kingdom, Lulu.com, 2010.

Hooke, S. H.. Middle Eastern Mythology. United Kingdom, Dover Publications, 2004.

Kendall, Alan, and Skyes, Edgerton. Who’s Who in Non-Classical Mythology. United Kingdom, Taylor & Francis, 2014.

Myths of Babylon. United Kingdom, Flame Tree Publishing, 2018.

Spence, Lewis. Myths & Legends of Babylonia & Assyria. United Kingdom, Harrap, 1920.

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