Troglodyte/Trocodite

The Troglodyte is a primitive humanoid creature from Medieval myth. They were recorded in unclear areas of maps, and were thought to be from deserts in Ethiopia. Their name means “hole creepers” due to their tendency to dwell in caves. They lack the ability to speak and are thought to communicate through clicking sounds. They’re thought to climb trees to jump on prey or lie in wait near paths to lunge at them. They’re also thought to be incredibly fast and capable of running down most wild game. Sometimes they had three faces and were often shown eating snakes. They’re known to eat the flesh of elephants they chase down, jumping on the elephant by its back haunches to cripple their motion, targeting the one in the back of the pack. Some theorize they are a misinterpreted species of monkey or ape.

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.

De Camp, Lyon Sprague, and Ley, Willy. Lands Beyond. United States, Rinehart, 1952.

Friedman, John Block. The Monstrous Races in Medieval Art and Thought. United States, Syracuse University Press, 2020.

Maps and Travel in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period: Knowledge, Imagination, and Visual Culture. Germany, De Gruyter, 2019.

The Natural History of Pliny. United Kingdom, H. G. Bohn, 1855.

Vídalín, Arngrímur. The Supernatural in Íslendingasögur. Iceland, Tower Press, 2012.