Palioxis

In Greek mythology, Palioxis (Ancient Greek: Παλίωξις) was the personification of backrush, flight and retreat in battle (as opposed to Proioxis). She and her sister Proioxis (Onrush) presided over the surge of battle. Palioxis was probably numbered amongst the Makhai, daimones of the battlefield.

Mythology

In the epic poem the Shield of Heracles, attributed to Hesiod, Palioxis was one of the many figures, depicted on Heracles' shield:

In his hands he (Herakles) took his shield, all glittering : no one ever broke it with a blow or crushed it. And a wonder it was to see . . . In the centre was Phobos (Fear) worked in adamant, unspeakable, staring backwards with eyes that glowed with fire. His mouth was full of teeth in a white row, fearful and daunting, and upon his grim brow hovered frightful Eris (Battle-Strife) who arrays the throng of men: pitiless she, for she took away the mind and senses of poor wretches who made war against the son of Zeus . . . Upon the shield Proioxis (Pursuit) and Palioxis (Flight) were wrought, and Homados (Tumult), and Phobos (Panic), and Androktasia (Slaughter). Eris (Battle-Strife) also, and Kydoimos (Confusion) were hurrying about, and deadly Ker (Fate) was there holding one man newly wounded. . .

See also

• Alala
• Alke
• Ioke
• Polemus

References

• Hesiod, Shield of Heracles from The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.