The story of Trisevgeni (The three citruses)

Greek folk horror tales

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Welcome back to the Greek wondertale series! I have a range of fresh source material that I will be sharing weekly in this section, along with short introductions when time allows. This week’s story is one of the most surreal, and popular, among Greek wondertale collections. Attested since medieval times in Southern Italy, where it originates, it has been recorded in several fairly stable versions across Greece, with only minor details changing.

The heroine’s name “Trisevgeni” translates to “Thrice-Noble,” or “Thrice-Gracious.” I have elected to keep it as-is within the story, but its meaning is reflected in her trials and tribulations.

The Lamia referred to in the story is the medieval urban evolution of the mythical Lamia of Lybia: a beautiful queen beloved of Zeus, whose children were killed by Hera. In her grief, Lamia turned into a child-killing monster, and Hera cursed her to never sleep,…