Mythical Creatures - Monsters and Beasts From Greek Mythology

The giant Argus had 100 eyes.

Cannibalism in Greek mythology occasionally manifests itself when someone's children are served up at a dinner feast.

Cerberus is the 3-headed hound of Hades. It seems likely that the 3-headed watchdog of Harry Potter is based on Cerberus.

Cerberus was the 3-headed hound of Hades.

Echidna is described by Hesiod as a part-snake monster who gave birth to most of the monsters of Greek mythology.

In the story of the Argonauts, the blind king Phinease laments his fate: "Never do I strive to put food to my lips but these foul things, the Harpies, the Snatchers, swoop down and scatter or devour what I would eat. Crumbs they leave me that my life may not altogether go from me, but these crumbs they make foul to my taste and my smell."

Medusa is known for her snaky-hair and her ability to turn men into stone. Medusa is one of three sisters, the Gorgons, daughters of Phorcys and Keto.

Medusa - Pictures of Medusa

Hercules was renowned for defeating monsters who plagued the countryside. His conquests included the Nemean Lion, the Lernean Hydra, the Erymanthian Boar, the Stymphalian Birds, the Cretan Bulls, and the man-eating Mares of Diomedes.

Monsters in Greek mythology usually destroy people or ravage the countryside, although at least the Harpies simply wreck people's lives. Here is a collection of graphics showing some of the major monsters of Greek mythology as they have been portrayed in art or illustrations.

Whatever makes a monster in mythology includes luring innocent men to their death, which is what the Sirens did in the Odyssey. The Sirens also count as monsters beause they may have been half bird and half human.

The sphinx is known more from ancient Egypt, but has a prominent place in the story of Oedipus as the riddler.

Ancient Greco-Roman sources on the unicorn.

Scylla was originally a woman who was turned by Circe into a monster who destroyed all who passed through the strait of Messina, between Italy and Sicily.

Picture showing why Hermes is Hermes Argeiphontes.