pharmacides

Witches, or more likely herbalists, as the name suggests, who were sent by Hera to hinder Alcmene from giving birth to Heracles. But Historis, the daughter of Tiresias, devised a trick to deceive these witches: she uttered a loud of cry of joy in their hearing, suggesting that Alcmene had delivered. Deceived, the pharmacides left and Alcmene could bring forth her child in peace.

Pausanias saw their portraits in relief, although their figures were by that time rather indistinct.

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