Lamashtu

In Mesopotamian mythology, Lamashtu (Akkadian dLa-maš-tu; Sumerian Dimme dDim3-me) was a female demon, monster, malevolent goddess or demigoddess who menaced women during childbirth and, if possible, kidnapped their children while they were breastfeeding. She would gnaw on their bones and suck their blood, as well as being charged with a number of other evil deeds. She was a daughter of the Sky God Anu.

Myths and Legends
Lamashtu's father was the Sky God Anu (Sumer An). Unlike many other usual demonic figures and depictions in Mesopotamian lore, Lamashtu was said to act in malevolence of her own accord, rather than at the gods' instructions. Along with this her name was written together with the cuneiform determinative indicating deity. This means she was a goddess or a demigoddess in her own right.

Appearance
Lamashtu is depicted as a mythological hybrid, with a hairy body, a lioness' head with donkey's teeth and ears, long fingers and fingernails, and the feet of a bird with sharp talons. She is often shown standing or kneeling on a donkey, nursing a pig and a dog, and holding snakes. She thus bears some functions and resemblance to the Mesopotamian demon Lilith.

Evil Acts
She bore seven names and was described as seven witches in incantations. Her evil deeds included (but were not limited to): slaying children and the unborn, causing harm to mothers and expectant mothers, eating men and drinking their blood, disturbing sleep, bringing nightmares; killing foliage; infesting rivers and lakes; and being a bringer of disease, sickness, and death.

Warding
Pazuzu, a god or demon, was invoked to protect birthing mothers and infants against Lamashtu's malevolence, usually on amulets and statues. Although Pazuzu was said to be bringer of famine and drought, he was also invoked against evil for protection, and against plague, but he was primarily and popularly invoked against his fierce, malicious rival Lamashtu.

Modern Depictions

 * Lamashtu is a demon lord and the goddess of monsters, called the Mother of Beasts and Mistress of Insanity, in the role-playing game setting Pathfinder.
 * Lamashtu appears as a character in the NBC television series Constantine in the episode "The Saint of Last Resorts".
 * Lamashtu appears as an antagonist in the 2018 novel "On Devil's Wings" by M. J. Meade.
 * Lamashtu appears as the antagonist in the 2017 film Still/Born.
 * Lamashtu appears as the song "lamashtu" by Necrophobic on their 2018 album "Mark of the Necrogram"