In Greek mythology, Epiales () was the spirit (daemon) and personification of nightmares. Alternate spellings of the name were Epialos (ἨÃÂïñûÿÃÂ), Epioles (ἨÃÂùÃÂû÷ÃÂ), Epialtes (á¼ÂÃÂùìûÃÂ÷ÃÂ) or Ephialtes (á¼ÂÃÂùìûÃÂ÷ÃÂ).
Epiales was probably numbered amongst the Oneiroi (Dream-Spirits) and thus one of the sons of the goddess Nyx (Night).
Epiales was also known as Melas Oneiros (Black Dream).<blockquote>"The words epialos, epiales and epioles denote (1) the feverish chill (2) the daimon who assaults sleepers. Homer and most writers have epioles with the e; the form in -os means something different, namely the feverish chill . . . Alkaios (Alcaeus) called it epialos. Apollonios says that Epialtes itself (the nighmare daimon) is called Epiales and by a change of a to o Epioles."
"[The goddess Gaia (Earth) is invoked to drive away a nightmare :] Like a spider, he [a rapist] is carrying me [a woman] seaward step by step--a nightmare (oneiros), a black nightmare (melas oneiros)! Oh! Oh! Mother Earth (Ma Ge), mother Earth (Ma Ge), avert his fearful cries! O father Zeus, son of Ge (Earth)!"</blockquote>