There are several gods and figures associated with madness, depending on the mythology:
* Greek Mythology:
* Lyssa (Λύσσα): The spirit or goddess of mad rage, frenzy, and rabies in animals. She is often depicted as driving mortals into fits of insane violence.
* Roman Mythology:
* Mania: The Roman goddess of madness. Her Greek counterpart is sometimes considered to be Lyssa.
* Norse Mythology:
* While there isn't a specific god *of* madness, Odin could be associated with it due to his berserkergang warriors who went into a frenzy in battle.
* Hinduism:
* Kali: While not strictly a goddess of madness, she is associated with destruction and terrifying aspects that can be interpreted as a kind of divine frenzy or uncontrolled power.
* Lovecraftian Horror:
* Nyarlathotep: A shapeshifting Outer God, often referred to as the "Crawling Chaos," whose very presence can drive people insane.
* Azathoth: Known as the "Blind Idiot God," Azathoth is a powerful and chaotic entity whose existence and mindless dreaming sustain reality. The knowledge of Azathoth and the Outer Gods can often lead to madness.
The most direct answer would likely be Lyssa in Greek mythology or Mania in Roman mythology, as their primary domain is madness itself.