Cerberus

**Cerberus** was an ancient Greek Hellhound that guarded the gates of the underworld to prevent the dead from leaving.

## **Mythology**

Cerberus was the offspring of the monstrous gods Echidna and Typhon. Cerberus is primarily known for his capture by Heracles, one of Heracles' twelve labours.

In some accounts, after bringing Cerberus up from the underworld, Heracles paraded the captured Cerberus through Greece. Euphorion has Heracles lead Cerberus through Midea in Argolis, as women and children watch in fear, and Diodorus Siculus says of Cerberus, that Heracles carried him away to the amazement of all and exhibited him to men. Seneca has Hera complain of Heracles "highhandedly parading the black hound through Argive cities" and Heracles greeted by laurel-wreathed crowds, "singing" his praises.

Then, according to Apollodorus, Heracles showed Cerberus to Eurystheus, as commanded, after which he returned Cerberus to the underworld. However, according to Hesychius of Alexandria, Cerberus escaped, presumably returning to the underworld on his own.

## **Personality**

Each of Cerberus' heads had its own mind capable of seeing, hearing and acting independently of each other, however, all three heads were governed by a single will; This allowed Cerberus three times the perceptive capabilities of a single hound without fighting amongst himself.

From all the information that is revealed about him, it can be said that he is steadfast and loyal, willingly standing at the gates of the underworld, devoted to his role as Hades' monstrous sentinel.

He also is shown to adore his master, Hades, and vice versa. Although they rarely interact, Cerberus eagerly anticipates every one of his visits. He is shown to also be affectionate to Hades' wife Persephone.

## **Appearance**

Cerberus appears as a large monstrous dog and is usually described as having three heads, a serpent for a tail, and snakes protruding from multiple parts of his body.

## **Powers and Abilities**

* **Super Strength**- Cerberus is said to have a tremendous strength that could shake the ground and break walls. Cerberus' jaws could not only affect Ghosts but snap steel spears and swords like twigs
* **Super Speed**- He can move at inhuman speeds which he normally uses to catch any souls trying to escape. Cerberus had speed three times faster than a traditional hunting hound, allowing him to cross great distances with ease.
* **Super Senses**- Being the guard of the underworld, Cerberus has enhanced senses of sight, smell, and hearing as no soul has ever managed to get past him. Cerberus was a skilled tracker that could hunt endlessly once he acquired something's scent, guaranteeing no one could hide from him.
* **Super Stamina**- Once he has target, he will never stop hunting them, unless he is called off by Hades. His heads would sleep in shifts, ensuring Cerberus was a danger even while he slept and always felt refreshed and well rested.
* **Immortality**- Cerberus is thousands of years old and cannot die from aging or disease.
* **Advanced Invulnerability** - He cannot be killed by conventional methods or weapons.
* **Invisibility**- Cerberus is invisible to normal humans, though unlike other Hellhounds, he can make himself visible to all beings.

## **Weaknesses**

Unlike other Hellhounds, Cerberus possesses fewer weaknesses.

* **Deities**- Gods can effortlessly smite him.
* **Divine Weaponry** - Heracles was able to capture him with the help of divine weapons.
* **Iron**- Iron is painful to Cerberus upon contact.