Cerberus | MythOrTruth.Com - Mythical Creatures, Beasts and Facts associated with them. Cerberus 0 comments Cerberus is the dog monster that guards the entrance to Hades, which is the mythical Greek underworld. The creature’s function is to keep the souls of those who have crossed the river Styx from ever leaving the Underworld, and also to prevent living mortals from entering into Hades. Styx However, portrayal of Cerberus was not limited to myth or religion, but was extended to other mediums as well, including sculptures, paintings, murals and literature. It’s worth mentioning, for example, that Cerberus has been mentioned in the works Plato, Virgil, Homer and Thesiod. In ancient ruins, one can even find extensive works of art that feature Cerberus right next to important mythical characters from Greek mythology. A Laconian vase from 560 BC, for example, portrays Cerberus as having three heads with a body surrounded by snakes. Also, in various murals and sculptures, Cerberus is presented as a creature of varying proportions, but always presented in the context of either the underworld or the Heraclean myths.

Cerberus in Roman and Greek Myth Cerberus, or Kerberos as it was originally called, plays a prominent role in Greek and Roman mythology, particularly those relating to the trials of Hercules and the various struggles of the Gods. Cerberus There are conflicting accounts about the number of heads which can be found on Kerberos. Some sources indicate that Kerberos only had one or two heads, while other sources point to 10 or more. According to both Greek and Roman mythology, Cerberus was the offspring of Echidna and Typhon, both of whom were also prominent primordial beings in both Roman and Greek mythology. One of Kerberos’ siblings was Orthrus, a two headed dog which shared much of its ferocity. Aside from Kerberos’ role as guardian of the underworld, it was also portrayed as a ravenous monster with an exclusive diet of live meat. In sources where Kerberos is represented as having three heads, Cerberus takes on a special symbolism. Like the sisters of fate, the Moirai, Cerberus’s three heads also have a special significance.

Some sources say that the heads represent the creature’s ability to see into eternity, and that three heads represent the past, the present and the future. Other sources claim that the three heads represent birth, youth and old age. Echidna and Typhon Whatever the case may be, Cerberus is a prominent archetype in the Greco-Roman idea of the underworld. It’s worth mentioning, for example, that along with Charon, Hades and other prominent entities, Kerberos, according to some sources, judges some of the souls that pass through into the underworld. This is strangely similar to the role played by the Jackal headed god, Anubis in Egyptian mythology. Despite its role however, Kerberos remains a mythological creature, an entity that symbolizes the primal human fear of death. Also, considering how it is a child of other Greek monster deities proves – to some extent – that Cerberus may have been inspired by non-Greek origins. Cerberus and Heracles Although references to Cerberus can be found in dozens of Greek and Roman literary and religious sources, the most prominent source of all is the Twelve Labors of Heracles.

In order to redeem himself, Heracles (or Hercules, as he was known in Roman civilization) was given twelve tasks which will acquit him of his sins against the gods. One of these tasks was given to him by King Eurytheus, and the task involved capturing Cerberus from Hades. According to Greek mythology, Heracles, despite being alive, entered the Underworld with the help of various gods. Once he was there, he personally asked permission from Hades, the god of the underworld, to take the three headed monster back to the surface and show it at Eurytheus’ court. Hades’ agreed to Heracles’ request but only on the condition that he would subdue Kerberos without the use of any weapons. Heracles was able to meet Hades’ conditions and carried the unconscious hound over his shoulder back to the land of the living. When Heracles showed the monster to King Eurytheus, the king was stricken with fear and ordered Heracles to return the creature back to the underworld. Heracles Explanations About the Inspiration for the Myth of Cerberus Throughout the Greco-Roman world, various intellectuals and scholars attempted to explain the origins of the depiction of Cerberus.

Various interpretations and explanations have been put forward by different people from different eras on the nature and origins of the Kerberos. One such explanation was made by Heraclitus the paradoxographer, who claimed that Cerberus was not – in fact a three headed dog monster – but one very large dog, with two very attentive puppies or companions. Heraclitus’ argument was that, given how the three dog were always close together, the artists simply began portraying the creature as a single dog with three heads. On the other hand, modern historians and scholars are considering the possibility that Kerberos by have had its origins from Proto-Indo-European myths. This theory is based on the idea that in various Sanskrit legends, “Sarvara” was the name given to the dogs of Yama, the God of Death in early Vedic mythology. Hades Another possible explanation comes from Norse Mythology, where Cerberus is believed to have been inspired by the dog, Garmr, a blood stained wolf-like dog that guard’s Hell’s gates. Whatever the truth may be about the origins of Cerberus, it’s quite obvious that the guardian dog of hell archetype is not exclusive to the Greeks.

Cerberus in Modern Culture Aside from the extensive portrayal of Cerberus in Greek and Roman culture, the creature remains quite popular in contemporary times. One can even say that the archetypal hell-hound used in modern horror and adventure movies are actually based on Kerberos. A quick observation of certain movies and books with themes centered around magic and mystery will reveal that the hell-hounds used on such stories are actually modern day replicas of Kerberos from Greek myth. In the Harry Potter series as well as the Resident Evil video games, for example, certain dogs and monsters match the descriptions of Kerberos. So even in this day and age, Cerberus still guards the gates to our imaginations. Cerberus (Illustration) - Mythical Creatures Wallpaper Cerberus (Illustration) - Mythical Creatures Wallpaper favorite it? enlarge^ 1440x900 152555 KB Cerberus (Illustration) An illustration of Cerberus. Cerberus in Greek and Roman mythology, is a multi-headed (usually three-headed) dog, or "hellhound" which guards the gates of the Underworld, to prevent those who have crossed the river Styx from ever escaping.

Source: fw-forum.perfectworld.com Keys: cerberus, dog, greece, greek, hound, illustration, legend, legendary, monster, myth, mythological, mythology, roman, rome, wallpaper, wallpapers, mythical creatures Submitted by MikkelHH 4 years ago Reporting this image If you feel this image is in violation of our Terms of Service, please use the following form to have it manually reviewed by a staff member. Whats wrong with this image? Comment on Cerberus (Illustration) image ﻿ Sign In or Register to leave a comment! You can join fan clubs, earn rewards, and share your opinion! Be the first to comment! advertisement Get the forum going! make the first post! Mythical Creatures advertisement Connect With Us All creators own the copyright of their contributions, All rights reserved. Developed by drinking too much redbull. About | Contact | Privacy | Terms | Credits Stuffpoint is in no way endorsed by or affiliated with any other site. Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this program. Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, and the Amazon Gift Cards logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

For complete gift card terms and conditions, see Stuffpoint is in no way endorsed by or affiliated with MindArk or MindArk's affiliates. PED are copyright and trademarks of Mindark PE AB. All rights reserved. Still can't find it? Time to google it! CERBERUS (Kerberos) - Three-Headed Hound of Hades of Greek Mythology Death-Darkness? Heracles and Cerberus the hound of Hades, Caeretan black-figure hydria C6th B.C., Musée du Louvre KERBEROS (Cerberus) was the gigantic, three-headed hound of Haides which guarded the gates of the underworld and prevented the escape of the shades of the dead. Kerberos was depicted as a three-headed dog with a serpent's tail, mane of snakes, and a lion's claws. According to some he had fifty heads although this count may have included the serpents of his mane. Herakles (Heracles) was sent to fetch Kerberos as one of his twelve labours, a task which he accomplished with the aid of the goddess Persephone .

Kerberos' name perhaps means "Death-Daemon of the Dark" from the ancient Greek words kêr and erebos. FAMILY OF CERBERUS [1.1] TYPHOEUS & EKHIDNA (Hesiod Theogony 310, Quintus Smyrnaeus 6.260, Hyginus Pref & Fab 30) [1.2] EKHIDNA (Bacchylides Frag 5, Ovid Metamorphoses 7.412) ENCYCLOPEDIA CE′RBERUS (Kerberos), the many-headed dog that guarded the entrance of Hades, is mentioned as early as the Homeric poems, but simply as "the dog," and without the name of Cerberus. (Il. viii. 368, Od. xi. 623.) Hesiod, who is the first that gives his name and origin, calls him (Theog. 311) fifty-headed and a son of Typhaon and Echidna. Later writers describe him as a monster with only three heads, with the tail of a serpent and a mane consisting of the heads of various snakes.

(Apollod. ii. 5. § 12; Eurip. Here. fur. 24, 611; Virg. Aen. vi. 417; Ov. Met. iv. 449.) Some poets again call him many-headed or hundred-headed. (Horat. Carm. ii. 13. 34; Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 678; Senec. Here. fur. 784.) The place where Cerberus kept watch was according to some at the mouth of the Acheron, and according to others at the gates of Hades, into which he admitted the shades, but never let them out again. Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. ALTERNATE NAMES Heracles, Cerberus and Hecate, Apulian red-figure volute krater C4th B.C., Staatliche Antikensammlungen Homer, Iliad 8. 366 ff (trans.

Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : "If in the wiliness of my heart I [Athene] had had thoughts like his, when Herakles (Heracles) was sent down to Haides of the Gates, to hale back from Erebos (the Dark) the hound of the grisly death god (Haides Stygeros), never would he have got clear of the steep-dripping water Styx." [N.B. In Homer the dog is just called "the hound of Haides." Hesiod is the first author to give it the name Kerberos (Cerberus).] Homer, Odyssey 11. 623 ff (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : "[The ghost of Herakles addresses Odysseus in Hades :] ‘He [Eurystheus] once sent me even here [to Haides] to fetch away the hound of Haides, for he thought no task could be more fearsome for me than that.

But I brought the hound out of Haides' house and up to earth, because Hermes helped me on my way, and gleaming-eyed Athene.’" Hesiod, Theogony 310 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "Typhaon [Typhoeus] . . . was joined in love to her [Ekhidna (Echidna)] . . .

And next again she bore the unspeakable, unmanageable Kerberos (Cerberus), the savage, the bronze-barking dog of Haides, fifty-headed, and powerful, and without pity." Hesiod, Theogony 769 ff : "And before them [the halls of Haides and Persephone] a dreaded hound (deinos kunos) [Kerberos (Cerberus)], on watch, who has no pity, but a vile stratagem : as people go in he fawns on all, with actions of his tail and both ears, but he will not let them go back out, but lies in wait for them and eats them up, when he catches any going back through the gates." Bacchylides, Fragment 5 (trans. Campbell, Vol.

Greek Lyric IV) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "Once, they say, the gate-wrecking, unconquerable son [Herakles] of thunder-flashing Zeus went down to the house of slender-ankled Persephone to fetch up to the light from Hades the jagged-toothed dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)], son of unapproachable Ekhidna (Echidna). There he perceived the spirits of wretched mortals by the waters of Kokytos (Cocytus), like the leaves buffeted by the wind over the bright sheep-grazed headlands of Ida." Aristophanes, Peace 315 ff (trans.

O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) : "[Comedy Play in which Eirene (Irene), goddess of peace, has been trapped in a deep pit :] Let us beware lest the cursed Kerberos (Cerberus) prevent us even from the nethermost hell from delivering the goddess by his furious howling, just as he did when on earth." Aristophanes, Frogs 468 ff : "[Comedy-Play in which Aiakos (Aeacus), the gateman of Haides, berates Herakles :] ‘O, you most shameless desperate ruffian, you O, villain, villain, arrant vilest villain! Who seized our Kerberos (Cerberus) by the throat, and fled, and ran, and rushed, and bolted, haling of the dog, my charge!’" Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2, 125 (trans.

Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Herakles asked Pouton (Pluton) [Haides] for Kerberos (Cerberus), and was told to take the hound if he could overpower it without using any of the weapons he had brought with him. He found Kerberos at the gates of Akheron (Acheron), and there, pressed inside his armour and totally covered by the lion's skin, he threw his arms round its head and hung on, despite bites from the serpent-tail, until he convinced the beast with his choke-hold. Then, with it in tow, he made his ascent through Troizenos (Troezen). After showing Kerberos to Eurystheus, he took it back to Haides' realm." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 122 : "As a twelfth labour Herakles was to fetch Kerberos (Cerberus) from Haides' realm. Kerberos had three dog-heads, a serpent for a tail, and along his back the heads of all kinds of snakes." Callimachus, Fragment 515 (trans.

Trypanis) (Greek poet C3rd B.C.) : "The foreigner [Herakles] bringing the monstrous son [Kerberos (Cerberus)] of Ekhidna (Echidna) from below." Euphorion, Fragments (trans. Page, Vol. Select Papyri III, No. 121 (1)) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) : "Behind, under his [Kerberos (Cerberus)] shaggy belly cowering, the serpents that were his tail darted their tongues about his ribs. Within his eyes, a beam flashed darkly. Truly in the Forges or in Meligounis leap such sparks into the air, when iron is beaten with hammers, and the anvil roars beneath might blows,--or up inside smoke Aitna (Etna), lair of Asteropos.

Still, he came alive to Tiryns out of Haides, the last of twelve labours, for the pleasure of malignant Eurystheus; and at the crossways of Mideia, rich in barley, trembling women with their children looked upon him." Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 6. 260 ff (trans. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : "[Depicted on the shield of Herakles' son Eurypylos (Eurypylus) :] And there, a dread sight even for gods to see, was Kerberos (Cerberus), whom Ekhidna (Echidna, the Loathly Worm) had borne to Typhon [Typhoeus] in a craggy cavern's gloom close on the borders of Eternal Night (Erebos), a hideous monster, warder of the Gate of Haides, home of Wailing, jailer-hound of dead folk in the shadowy Gulf of Doom.

But lightly Zeus' son [Herakles] with his crashing blows tamed him, and haled him from the cataract flood of Styx, with heavy-drooping head, and dragged the Dog sore loth to the strange upper air all dauntlessly." Heracles and Cerberus, Athenian red-figure amphora C6th B.C., Musée du Louvre Plato, Republic 588c (trans. Shorey) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) : "One of those natures that the ancient fables tell of, as that of the Khimaira (Chimera) or Skylla (Scylla) or Kerberos (Cerberus), and the numerous other examples that are told of many forms grown together in one." Strabo, Geography 8. 5. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C.

to C1st A.D.) : "A headland that projects into the sea, Tainaron (Taenarum), with its temple of Poseidon situated in a grove; and secondly, near by, to the cavern through which, according to the myth writers, Kerberos (Cerberus) was brought up from Haides by Herakles." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 35. 10 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[At Hermione in Argolis] are three places which the Hermionians call that of Klymenos (Clymenus, the Famous One) [i.e. of Haides], that of Plouton (Pluton, of Wealth) [Haides], and the Lake Akherousia (Acherusia). All are surrounded by fences of stones, while in the place of Klymenos there is also a chasm in the earth. Through this according to the legend of the Hermionians, Herakles brought up the Hound of Haides [Kerberos (Cerberus)]." Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 25.

5 - 7 : "On the promontory [of Tainaron (Taenarum), Lakonia] is a temple like a cave, with a statue of Poseidon in front of it. Some of the Greek poets state that Herakles brought up the Hound of Haides (Haidou kuna) [Kerberos (Cerberus)] here, though there is no road that leads underground through the cave, and it is not easy to believe that the gods possess any underground dwelling where the souls collect. But Hekataios (Hecataeus) of Miletos gave a plausible explanation, stating that a terrible serpent lived on Tainaron, and was called the Hound of Hades, because any one bitten was bound to die of the poison at once, and it was this snake, he said, that was brought by Herakles to Eurystheus. But Homer, who was the first to call the creature brought by Herakles the Hound of Haides, did not give it a name or describe it as of manifold form, as he did the Khimaira (Chimera).

Late poets gave the name Kerberos, and though in other respects they made him resemble a dog, they say that he had three heads. Homer, however, does not imply that he was a dog, the friend of man, any more than if he called a real serpent the Hound of Hades." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 31. 2 : "[In the temple of Artemis at Troizenos (Troezen) in Argolis :] . . . are altars to the gods said to rule under the earth. It is here that they say . . . that Herakles dragged up the Hound of Haides [Kerberos (Cerberus)]." Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 18. 10 - 16 : "[Illustrated on the throne of the statue of Apollon at Amyklai (Amyclae) near Sparta :] On the left stand Ekhidna (Echidna) and Typhos [Typhoeus], on the right Tritones . . .

Next to these have been wrought two of the exploits of Herakles--his slaying of the Hydra, and his bringing up the Hound of Hell (kuna ton Haidou) [Kerberos (Cerberus)]." Pausanias, Description of Greece5. 26. 7 : "By the smaller offerings of Mikythos (Micythus) [at Olympia] . . . are some of the exploits of Herakles, including what he did to the Nemeian Lion , the Hydra, the Hound of Hell (kuna tou Haidou) [Kerberos (Cerberus)], and the boar by the river Erymanthos." Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 34. 5 : "Here [on Mount Laphystios in Boiotia], say the Boiotians, Herakles ascended with the hound of Hades (kuna Haidou) [Kerberos (Cerberus)]." Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 25. 1 (trans.

Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) : "He [Herakles] received a command from Eurystheus to bring Kerberos (Cerberus) up from Hades to the light of day. And assuming that it would be to his advantage for the accomplishment of this Labour, he went to Athens and took part in the Eleusinian Mysteries, Musaios (Musaeus), the son of Orpheus, being at that time in charge of the initiatory rites . . . Herakles then, according to the myths which have come down to us, descended into the realm of Hades, and being welcomed like a brother by Persephone brought Theseus and Peirithous back to the upper world after freeing them from their bonds. This he accomplished by the favour of Persephone, and receiving the dog Kerberos in chains he carried him away to the amazement of all and exhibited him to men." Plutarch, Life of Nisias 1. 3 (trans.

Perrin) (Greek historian C1st to C2nd A.D.) : "The goddess Kore (Core) [Persephone] who delivered Kerberos (Cerberus) into his [Herakles'] hands." Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "From Typhon and Echidna [was born] . . . Cerberus." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 30 : "He [Herakles (Heracles)] brought from the Lower World for the king to see, the dog Cerberus, offspring of Typhon." - Hyginus, Fabulae 30 Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 32 : "Hercules had been sent for the three-headed dog [Cerberus] by King Eurystheus." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 151 : "From Typhon the giant and Echidna were born . . .

the three-headed dog Cerberus." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 251 : "Those who, by permission of the Parcae (Fates) [Moirai], returned from the lower world . . . Hercules, son of Jove [Zeus], to bring up the dog Cerberus." Heracles, Hermes and Cerberus, Athenian red-figure kylix C6th B.C., Museum of Fine Arts Boston Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 450 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "The Stygian city and the cruel court of swarthy Dis [Haides] . . . she [the goddess Juno-Hera] entered and the threshold groaned under the holy tread.

Immediately Cerberus sprang at her with his three heads and gave three barks together." Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.500 ff : "[The Erinys] Tisiphone brought with her poisons too of magic power [to cause madness] : lip-froth of Cerberus, the Echidna's venom, wild deliriums, blindnesses of the brain, and crime and tears, and maddened lust for murder; all ground up, mixed with fresh blood, boiled in a pan of bronze, and stirred with a green hemlock stick." Ovid, Metamorphoses 7. 412 : "For that son's [Theseus'] death Medea mixed her poisoned aconite, brought with her long ago from Scythicae's (Scythia's) shores, said to be slobbered by Echidnaea [i.e. Kerberos (Cerberus), son of Ekhidna].

There is a cavern yawning dark and deep, and there a falling track where Hero Tirynthius [Herakles of Tiryns] dragged struggling, blinking, screwing up his eyes against the sunlight and the blinding day, the hell-hound Cerberus, fast on a chain of adamant. His three throats filled the air with triple barking, barks of frenzied rage, and spattered the green meadows with white spume. This, so men think, congealed and, nourished by the rich rank soil, gained poisonous properties. And since they grow and thrive on hard bare rocks the farm folk call them ‘flintworts’--aconites. This poison Aegeus, by Medea's guile, offered to Theseus as his enemy, father to son." Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 184 : "I [Herakles (Heracles) ] faced unafraid Cerberus' triple heads." Ovid, Metamorphoses 10.

21 ff : "[Orpheus addresses Haides, king of the underworld :] ‘I have come down not with intent to see the glooms of Tartara, nor to enchain the triple-snaked necks of Medusaeum [Kerberos (Cerberus)].’" Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 65 ff : "His wits were stolen away, like him [unknown man] who saw in dread [Kerberos (Cerberus)] the three-necked hound of Hell with chains fast round his middle neck, and never lost his terror till he lost his nature too and turned to stone." Ovid, Heroides 9. 37 ff (trans. Showerman) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "[Deianeira, wife of Herakles, laments :] ‘My lord is ever absent from me . . . ever pursuing monsters and dreadful beasts.

I myself, at home and widowed, am busied with chaste prayers, in torment lest my husband fall by the savage foe; with serpents and with boars and ravening lions my imaginings are full, and with hounds three-throated [i.e. Kerberos (Cerberus)] hard upon the prey.’" Ovid, Heroides 9. 87 ff : "[Herakles] told of the deeds . . . Cerberus, branching from one trunk into a three-fold dog, his hair inwoven with the threatening snake." Virgil, Aeneid 6. 417 ff (trans. Day-Lewis) (Roman epic C1st B.C.) : "Huge Cerberus, monstrously couched in a cave confronting them, made the whole region echo with this three-throated barking. The Sibyl, seeing the snakes bristling upon his neck now, threw him for bait a cake for honey and wheat infused with sedative drugs.

The creature, crazy with hunger, opened its three mouths, gobbled the bait; then its huge body relaxed and lay, sprawled out on the ground, the whole length of its cave kennel. Aeneas, passing its entrance, the watch-dog neutralize, strode rapidly from the bank of that river [Styx] of no return." Virgil, Georgics 4. 471 ff (trans. Fairclough) (Roman bucolic C1st B.C.) : "Stirred by his [Orpheus'] song, up from the lowest realms of Erebeus came the unsubstantial shades . . . Still more: the very house of Death and deepest abysses of Tartarus were spellbound, and the Eumenides [Erinyes] with livid snakes entwined in their hair; Cerberus stood agape and his triple jaws forgot to bark." Propertius, Elegies 3. 5 (trans. Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) : "Cerberus guards the cave of hell with his three throats." Propertius, Elegies 3.

18 : "Hither [to Haides] all shall come, hither the highest and the lowest class: evil it is, but it is a path that all must tread; all must assuage the three heads of the barking guard-dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)] and embark on the grisly greybeard's [Kharon's (Charon's)] boat that no one misses." Propertius, Elegies 4. 5 : "May your spirit find no peace with your ashes, but may avenging Cerberus terrify your vile bones with hungry howl." Propertius, Elegies 4. 7 : "Spurn not the dreams that come through the Righteous Gate [from the dead]: when righteous dreams come, they have the weight of truth. By night we [the ghosts of the dead] drift abroad, night frees imprisoned Shades, and even Cerberus casts aside his chains and strays." Propertius, Elegies 4.

9 : "Only to one mortal [Herakles] has the Stygian darkness become light and Cerberus has howled to find himself dragged off against the will of Dis [Haides]?" Propertius, Elegies 4. 11 : "Let fierce Cerberus rush at no Shades today, but let his chain hang slack from a silent bolt." Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 17 (trans. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) : "Orcus [Haides] is also a god; and the fabled streams of the lower world, Acheron, Cocytus and Pyriphlegethon, and also Charon and also Cerberus are to be deemed gods. No, you say, we must draw the line at that; well then, Orcus is not a god either." Cerberus, Laconian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., National Archaeological Museum of Taranto Seneca, Hercules Furens 46 ff (trans.

Miller) (Roman tragedy C1st A.D.) : "[Hera complains about Herakles :] ‘Nor is earth vast enough for him [Herakles (Heracles)]; behold, he has broken down the doors of infernal Jove [Haides], and brings back to the upper world the spoils of a conquered king [i.e. the hound Kerberos (Cerberus)]. I myself saw, yes, saw him, the shadows of nether night dispersed and Dis [Haides] overthrown, proudly displaying to his father [Zeus] a brother's spoils. Why does he not drag forth, bound and loaded down with fetters, Pluto [Haides] himself, who drew a lot equal to Jove's [Zeus']? Why does he not lord it over conquered Erebus and lay bare the Styx? It is not enough merely to return; the law of the shades has been annulled, a way back has been opened from the lowest ghosts, and the mysteries of dread Death lie bared. But he, exultant at having burst the prison of the shades, triumphs over me, and with arrogant hand leads through the cities of Greece that dusky hound.

I saw the daylight shrink at sight of Cerberus, and the sun pale with fear; upon me, too, terror came, and as I gazed upon the three necks of the conquered monster I trembled at my own command.’" Seneca, Hercules Furens 598 & 782 ff : "[Herakles upon returning with Kerberos (Cerberus) describes his journey to the underworld :] ‘Whoever [of the gods] from on high looks down on things of earth, and would not be defiled by a strange, new sight, let him turn away his gaze, lift his eyes to heaven, and shun the portent. Let only two look on this monster [Kerberos (Cerberus)]--him who brought and her who ordered it. To appoint me penalties and tasks earth is not broad enough for Juno's [Hera's] hate. I have seen places unapproached by any, unknown to Phoebus [the sun], those gloomy spaces which the baser pole hath yielded to infernal Jove [Haides]; and if the regions of the third estate pleased me, I might have reigned.

The chaos of everlasting night, and something worse than night, and the grim gods and the fates--all these I saw and, having flouted death, I have come back. What else remains? I have seen and revealed the lower world. If aught is left to do, give it to me, O Juno [Hera]; too long already dost thou let my hands lie idle. What dost thou bid me conquer?’ [Amphitryon addresses Theseus :] ‘. . . Unfold his heroic deeds in order; tell how long a way leads to the gloomy shades, and how the Tartarean dog bore his galling bonds.’ [Theseus :] ‘Next after this [the boat of Kharon (Charon)] there appears the palace of greedy Dis [Haides]. Here the savage Stygian dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)] frightens the shades; tossing back and forth his triple heads, with huge bayings he guards the realm. Around his head, foul with corruption, serpents lap, his shaggy man bristles with vipers, and in his twisted tail a long snake hisses. His rage matches his shape.

Soon as he feels the stir of feet he raises his head, rough with darting snakes, and with ears erect catches at the onsped sound, wont as he is to hear even the shades. When [Herakles] the son of Jove stood closer, within his cave the dog crouches hesitant and feels a touch of fear. Then suddenly, with deep bayings, he terrifies the silent places; the snakes hiss threateningly along all his shoulders. The clamour of his dreadful voice, issuing from triple throats, fills even the blessed shades with dread. Then from his left arm the hero looses the fierce-grinning jaws, thrusts out before him the Cleonaean head and, beneath that huge shield crouching, plies his mighty club with victorious right hand. Now here, now there, with unremitting blows he whirls it, redoubling the strokes. At last the dog, vanquished ceases his threatenings and, spent with struggle, lowers all his heads and yields all wardship of his cavern. Both rulers [Haides and Persephone] shiver on their throne, and bid lead the dog away.

Me also [Theseus trapped in Haides] they give as boon to Alcides' prayer. ‘Then, stroking the monster's sullen necks, he binds him with chains of adamant. Forgetful of himself, the watchful guardian of the dusky realm droops his ears, trembling and willing to be led, owns his master, and with muzzle lowered follows after, beating both his sides with snaky tail. But when he came to the Taenarian borders, and the strange gleam of unknown light smote on his eyes, though conquered he regained his courage and in frenzy shook his ponderous chains. Almost he bore his conqueror away, back dragging him, forward bent, and forced him to give ground. Then even to my aid Alcides [Herakles] looked, and with our twofold strength we drew the dog along, mad with rage and attempting fruitless war, and brought him out to earth.

But when he saw the bright light of day and viewed the clear spaces of the shining sky, black night rose over him and he turned his gaze to ground, closed tight his eyes and shut out the hated light; backward he turned his face and with all his necks sought the earth; then in the shadow of Hercules he hid his head.’" Seneca, Hercules Furens 984 ff : "Cruel Tisiphone [one of the Erinyes (Furies)] . . . since the dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)] was stolen away [by Herakles] has blocked the empty gate [of Haides] with her outstretched torch." Seneca, Hercules Furens 1107 ff : "Fierce Cerberus, crouching in his lowest cave, his necks still bound with chains." Seneca, Oedipus 160 ff : "[Drought and pestilence ravage the city of Thebes :] They have burst the bars of abysmal Erebus, the throng of sisters with Tartarean torch [i.e. the Erinyes, (Furies)] . . .

Dark Mors (Death) [Thanatos], death opens wide his greedy, gaping jaws and unfolds all his wings . . . Nay more, they say that the dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)] has burst his chains of Taenarian iron, and is wandering through our fields; that the earth has rumbled; that ghosts go stealing through the groves, larger than mortal forms." Seneca, Oedipus 559 ff : "[The Theban seer Teiresias (Tiresias) performs the rites of necromancy :] Then he summons the spirits of the dead, and thee who rulest the spirits [Haides], and him [Kerberos (Cerberus)] who blocks the entrance to the Lethaean stream; o'er and o'er and o'er he repeats a magic rune, and fiercely, with frenzied lips, he chants a charm which either appeases or compels the flitting ghosts . . . the whole place was shaken and the ground was stricken from below . . . blind Chaos is burst open, and for the tribes of Dis [Haides] a way is given to the upper world . . .

in mad rage three-headed Cerberus shook his heavy chains." Seneca, Phaedra 222 ff : "Trust not in Dis [Haides]. Though he bar his realm, and though the Stygian dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)] keep guard o'er the grim doors, Theseus alone finds out forbidden ways." Seneca, Phaedra 843 ff : "Alcides [Herakles] . . . when he dragged the dog [Kerberos (Cerberus)] by violence out of Tartarus, brought me [Theseus], too, along with him to the upper world." Seneca, Troades 402 ff : "Taenarus and the cruel tyrant's [Haides] kingdom and Cerberus, guarding the portal of no easy passage." Hermes, Cerberus and Heracles, Athenian black-figure hydria C6th B.C., Toledo Museum of Art Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 3. 224 (trans.

Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : "[The Titan] Coeus in the lowest pit [of Tartaros] burst the adamantine bonds and trailing Jove's [Zeus'] fettering chains . . . conceives a hope of scaling heaven, yet though he repass the rivers and the gloom [Kerberos (Cerberus)] the hound of the Furiai (Furies) [Erinyes] and the sprawling Hydra's crest [the two guardians of Haides] repel him." Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 6. 110 ff : "Baying [of Hounds] loud as that which rings at the grim gate of Dis [Haides] [i.e. the bark of Kerberos, Cerberus] or from Hecate's escort to the world above." Statius, Thebaid 2. 27 (trans.

Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : "Cerberus lying on the murky threshold perceived them, and reared up with all his mouths wide agape, fierce even to entering folk; but now his black neck swelled up all threatening, now had he torn and scattered their bones upon the ground, had not the god [Hermes] with branch Lethaean soothed his bristling frame and quelled with threefold slumber the steely glare." Statius, Thebaid 2. 52 ff : "The baying of death's tri-formed warder [Kerberos (Cerberus)] has scared the rustics from the fields [around the entrance to Haides at Tainaron]." Statius, Thebaid 4. 410 ff : "[Teiresias (Tiresias) performs the rites of nekromankia summoning ghosts from the underworld :] ‘Nor let Cerberus interpose his heads, and turn aside the ghosts that lack the light.’" Statius, Thebaid 8.

53 ff : "Fierce Alcides [Herakles] [provoked Haides], when the iron threshold of Cerberus' gate fell silent, its guardian removed." Statius, Silvae 2. 1. 183 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman poetry C1st A.D.) : "Lay aside thy fears [for the beloved dead], and be no more in dread of threatening Letus (Death) [Thanatos]: Cerberus with triple jaws will not bark at him." Statius, Silvae 2. 1. 228 ff : "Neither the ferryman [Kharon (Charon)] nor the comrade [the Hydra] of the cruel beast [Kerberos (Cerberus)] bars the way [to the Underworld] to innocent souls." Statius, Silvae 3. 3. 21 ff : "Tis a happy shade that is coming, ay, too happy, for his son laments him. Avaunt, ye hissing Furiae (Furies) [Erinyes], avaunt the threefold guardian [Kerberos (Cerberus)]!

Let the long road lie clear for the peerless spirits." Statius, Silvae 5. 3. 260 ff : "But do ye, O monarchs of the dead and thou, Ennean Juno [Persephone], if ye approve my prayer [provide a peaceful journey for the soul of my dead father] . . . let the warder of the gate [Kerberos (Cerberus)] make no fierce barking." Apuleius, The Golden Ass 1. 15 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman novel C2nd A.D.) : "At that moment, as I recall, the earth yawned open [by the power of witches]. I caught a glimpse of Tartarus deep below, and of Cerberus waiting to make a meal of me to relive his hunger." Apuleius, The Golden Ass 6. 19 ff : "[Psykhe (Psyche) is given instructions for her journey down into the underworld :] When you have crossed the river [Akheron (Acheron)] and have advanced a little further, some aged women weaving at the loom will beg you to lend a hand for a short time.

But you are not permitted to touch that either, for all these and many other distractions are part of the ambush which Venus [Aphrodite] will set to induce you to release one of the cakes from your hands. Do not imaging that the loss of a mere barley cake is a trivial matter, for if you relinquish either of them, the daylight of this world above will be totally denied you. Posted there is [Kerberos (Cerberus)] a massive hound with a huge, triple-formed head. This monstrous, fearsome brute confronts the dead with thunderous barking, though his menaces are futile since he can do them no harm. He keeps constant guard before the very threshold and the dark hall of Proserpina [Persephone], protecting that deserted abode of Dis [Haides]. You must disarm him by offering him a cake as his spoils. Then you can easily pass him, and gain immediate access to Proserpina herself . . .

When you have obtained what she gives you, you must make your way back, using the remaining cake to neutralize the dog's savagery." ANCIENT GREEK ART The Underworld The Underworld See More The Underworld Pictures > The Underworld was hidden deep in the earth and was the kingdom of the dead, ruled by god Hades . Hades was a greedy god, whose sole purpose was to increase the number of souls in his kingdom; at the same time, he was very reluctant to let any soul leave. The Erinnyes were welcomed in the Underworld. For most souls, life in the underworld was not particularly unpleasant. It was rather like being in a miserable dream, full of shadows, ill-lit and desolate, barren of hope; a joyless place where the dead slowly faded into nothingness. Geographically, the Underworld was considered to have been surrounded by five rivers: the Acheron (river of woe), the Cocytus (river of lamentation), the Phlegethon (river of fire), the Styx (river of unbreakable oath by which the gods took vows), and the Lethe (river of forgetfulness).

Past the rivers, a diamond gate, guarded by Cerberus , formed the entrance to the kingdom. Deep within the kingdom, lay Hades ' vast palace, full with guests. Upon death, a soul was led by Hermes near the entrance of the underworld , where the ferry awaited to carry it across the Acheron. There was a single ferry run by Charon, the boatman who took the souls across the river. Only those who could pay the fare with coins placed on their lips when buried, were granted passage; the rest were trapped between two worlds. After the boat ride, the souls entered through the gates; Cerberus allowed everyone to enter, but none to leave. The souls then appeared before a panel of three judges, Rhadamanthus , Minos , and Aeacus , who passed sentence based on their deeds during their previous life. The souls who were good went to the Elysian Fields, while the others were singled out for special treatment; Sisyphus and Tantalus are two examples of souls that were sentenced to be tormented for eternity.

1000+ images about Naberius on Pinterest | Hercules, Guardians of ga'hoole and William blake Forward British Library, Harley 4431, f. 108v (‘Detail of a miniature of Hercules slaying Cerberus, and Theseus and Pirithous battling demons’). Christine de Pizan, Collected works (‘The Book of the Queen’), c. 1410-1414. This image is from L’Épître Othéa, "assembled for Isabel (Isabeau) of Bavaria, queen consort of Charles VI of France, and produced under the author’s supervision. Possibly some passages are in the hand of Christine de Pizan herself." See More Mythological Monsters 1 - YouTube Mythological Monsters 1 Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.

Published on May 16, 2013 This is the first part of the four videos about mythical monsters.The informations are combined from wikipedia and monstrous.com( ). The music of this video is called Cataclysm Soundtrack- The Dwarfs( ) . The 8 first monsters are: 1. Basilisk: In European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk from the Greek βασιλίσκος is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and the most poisonous creature on earth. His appearance has always been a matter of dispute since there is no way to see a basilisk and survive. Looking at it, according to legend, brings death.The best representation is that the basilisk had the head and legs of a cock, a snake-like tail, and a body like a bird's. It seems that the wings could be depicted as either being covered with feathers or scales. 2.Centaurs :A centaur (from Greek: Kένταυρος) or hippocentaur is a mythological creature with the head, arms, and torso of a human and the body and legs of a horse.

This half-human and half-horse composition were embodied in contrasted myths, both as the embodiment of untamed nature, as in their battle with the Lapiths (their king), or conversely as teachers, like Chiron.Centaurs were said to have inhabited the region of Magnesia and Mount Pelion in Thessaly, the Foloi oak forest in Elis, and the Malean peninsula in southern Laconia. 3. Cerberus: Cerberus or Kerberos in Greek and Roman mythology, is a multi-headed dog, or "hellhound" which guards the gates of the Underworld, to prevent those who have crossed the river Styx from ever escaping.Cerberus was the offspring of Echidna, a hybrid half-woman and half-serpent, and Typhon, a gigantic monster.The common depiction of Cerberus in Greek mythology and art is as having three heads.The center head was in the shape of a lion, while the other two were in the shape of a dog and a wolf, respectively. He also had a dragon's tail and a thick mane of writhing snakes. 4.

Charybdis: Charybdis or Kharybdis (Greek: Χάρυβδις) was a sea monster, later rationalised as a whirlpool and considered a shipping hazard in the Strait of Messina.Charybdis was once a beautiful naiad and the daughter of Poseidon and Gaia. She was so loyal to her father that she flooded land to enlarge her father's underwater kingdom, until Zeus turned her into a monster (whose face is all mouth and whose arms and legs are flippers),who swallows huge amounts of water three times a day and then belches them back out again,destroying all the boats that sail around. 5.Chimera :The Chimera ( Greek: Χίμαιρα) was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing female creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of three animals — a lion, a snake and a goat. Usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from its back, and a tail that ended in a snake's head.

The Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. 6. Cyclops: Cyclops ( Greek: Κύκλωπες) , in Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, was a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single eye in the middle of his forehead..When Cronus came to power he imprisoned the Cyclopes in Tartarus. They were released by Zeus and fought with him against the Titans. As a reward for their release the Cyclopes gave Zeus' thunderbolt, Hades' helmet of invisibility, and Poseidon's trident, and the gods use these weapons to defeat the Titans. Polyphemus, (son of Poseidon), is the most popular cyclops. He fighted with Odysseus who left Polyphemus blinded.

7.Echidna: In Greek mythology, Echidna (Ancient Greek:Eχιδνα) was half woman half snake, known as the "Mother of All Monsters" because most of the monsters in Greek myth were mothered by her.Echidna was a drakaina, with the face and torso of a beautiful woman and the body of a serpent, sometimes having two serpent's tails.According to Apollodorus, Echidna was the daughter of Tartarus and Gaia, while according to Hesiod, either Ceto and Phorcys or Chrysaor and the naiad Callirhoe were her parents. Another account says her parents were Peiras and Styx .The hundred-eyed Argos kills Echida in her sleep to prevent her from eating him as she has eaten other travelers. 8.Geryon :In Greek mythology(Ancient Greek: Γηρυών) son of Chrysaor and Callirrhoe and grandson of Medusa, was a fearsome giant who dwelt on the island Erytheia of the mythic esperides in the far west of the Mediterranean.

A more literal-minded later generation of Greeks associated the region with Tartessos in southern Iberia.Geryon was often described as a monster with human faces. According to Hesiod Geryon had one body and three heads, whereas the tradition followed by Aeschylus gave him three bodies. Apart from these bizarre features, his appearance was that of a warrior. He owned a two-headed hound named which was the brother of Cerberus. Category 20000-NAMES.COM: Underworld Names. Names from Hell. MALE: ANPU : Egyptian myth name of a jackal-headed god of the underworld, meaning "royal child." ANUBIS (Ανυβις): Greek form of Egyptian Anupu , name of a jackal-headed god of the underworld, meaning "royal child." ANUPU : Variant spelling of Egyptian Inpu , the myth name of a jackal-headed god of the underworld, meaning "royal child." ASAR : Egyptian name, possibly meaning "something that has been made; a product." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the underworld.

ASER : Variant spelling of Egyptian Asar , possibly meaning "something that has been made; a product." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the underworld. CERBERUS : Latin form of Greek Kerberos , meaning "demon of the pit." In mythology, this is the name of the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades. CERNUNNOS: Celtic myth name of an antlered god of animals, fertility and the underworld, from Gaulish carnon/cernon, "horn, antler," hence "horned." CHARON: Latin form of Greek Kharon , meaning "fierce brightness." In mythology, this is the name of the ferryman of Hades who ferries the dead across the river Acheron.

DEMOGORGON : Greek myth name of a god of the underworld, thought to be a name for Satan , possibly composed of the Greek elements daimon "demon, devil" and gorgos "grim," hence "grim demon." DEVIL : English form of Greek Diabolos , meaning "accuser, slanderer." In the bible, this is a title for Satan , the prince of demons and author of evil, who estranges men from God and entices them to sin. Figuratively, the devil is a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him. DIABOLOS (Διάβολος): Greek name meaning "accuser, slanderer." In the bible, this is a title for Satan , the prince of demons and author of evil, who estranges men from God and entices them to sin. Figuratively, the devil is a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him. DONN : Irish Gaelic name meaning "brown." In mythology, this is the name of a king of the underworld.

EA : Akkadian form of Sumerian Enki , meaning either "lord of the earth" or "lord of the underworld." In Babylonian mythology, this is the name of a god of creation, wisdom, keeper of divine laws, and half-brother to Enlil . ENKI : Sumerian name, possibly derived from en-kur, meaning "lord of the underworld" or "lord of the Earth." In Babylonian mythology, this is the name of a god of creation, wisdom, keeper of divine laws, and half-brother to Enlil . EREBOS (Ἔρεβος): Greek name, probably borrowed from Hebrew erebh or Akkadian erebu ("sunset, evening"), hence "darkness." In mythology, this is the name of the offspring of Chaos, brother of Nyx , and father of Æther . He is the personification of primordial darkness. In later legends Erebos became the name of a place in Hades , the underworld. EREBUS : Latin form of Greek Erebos , meaning "darkness." In mythology, this is the name of the offspring of Chaos, brother of Nyx , and father of Æther .

He is the personification of primordial darkness. In later legends Erebos became the name of a place in Hades , the underworld. GWYN : Welsh unisex name meaning "fair, holy, white." In mythology this is a masculine name. In Welsh mythology, it is the name of the ruler of the underworld (Annwn) where he escorted the souls of the dead. In Arthurian legend, Gwyn ap Nudd ("fair/white son of Nudd") was the abductor of the maiden Creiddylad after her elopement with Gwythr ap Greidawl, a long-time rival of his. He helped Culhwch hunt the boar Twrch Trwyth , and in later legends he was king of the "fair folk" (tylwyth teg). HADES : Latin form of Greek Hadēs , meaning "unseen." In mythology, this is the name of the god of the underworld, brother of Zeus and husband of Persephone . In the New Testament bible, Hades is associated with Orcus, the realm of the dead, the infernal regions where disembodied spirits live, a dark and dismal place in the depths of the earth.

Only later was Hades described as the grave, death, and hell. HADĒS (ᾍιδης): Variant spelling of Greek Haides , meaning "unseen." HAIDES (ᾍιδης): Greek name derived from the word aides, meaning "unseen." In mythology, this is the name of the god of the underworld, brother of Zeus and husband of Persephone . In the Greek bible, Haides is associated with Orcus, the realm of the dead, the infernal regions where disembodied spirits live, a dark and dismal place in the depths of the earth. Only later was Haides described as the grave, death, and hell. Also spelled Hades . INPU : Egyptian name meaning "royal child." In mythology, this is the name of a jackal-headed god of the underworld, Also spelled Anupu . KERBEROS (Κέρβερος): Greek name meaning "demon of the pit." In mythology, this is the name of the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades.

KHARON (Χάρων): Greek name meaning "fierce brightness." In mythology, this is the name of the ferryman of Hades who ferries the dead across the river Acheron. KHTHONIOS (Χθόνιος): Greek name derived from the word khthonios, meaning "of the earth (especially the inner earth, i.e. underworld)." In mythology, this is an epithet applied to Hermes and Zeus . It is the masculine form of Khthonia . MICTLANTECUHTLI : Aztec name meaning "lord of Mictlan." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the underworld. MIDIR : Irish name of unknown meaning. In Celtic mythology, this is the name of a lord of the underworld, the husband of Fuamnach . ORPHEUS (Ὀρφεύς): Greek name derived either from orbhao "deprived" or orphe "darkness." In mythology, this is the name of a musician who charmed Hades with his lyre in an attempt to rescue his wife from the underworld.

OSIRIS (Όσιρις): Greek form of Egyptian Asar , possibly meaning "something that has been made; a product." In Egyptian mythology, Asar/Osiris is the name of a god of the underworld. PLOUTON (Πλούτων): Greek name derived from the word ploutos, meaning "wealth." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the underworld. PLUTO : Latin form of Greek Plouton , meaning "wealth." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the underworld. The planet Pluto was named after him. SAMAEL (סמאל): In Jewish mythology, this is the name of an archangel, a fallen angel, the Angel of Death or Poison, the accuser, seducer, and destroyer famously known as The Grim Reaper. He is said to be both good and evil, having been one of the heavenly host. He rules over seven habitations called Sheba Ha-yechaloth, infernal realms of the Earth.

The Talmud states: "the evil Spirit, Satan , and Sama'el the Angel of Death, are the same"; and Samael is also therein equated with the biblical serpent who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. He is called the Prince of Darkness and chief of the Dragons of Evil and is held responsible for the scorching wind of the desert called the simoom. It is probably the Hebrew form of Syrian Shemal ("left"), but composed of 'el "god" and suwm "to create" or "to place, to set," hence "whom God makes." It is also sometimes rendered "venom of God." Also spelled Samil and Sammael . SATAN (Σατάν): Greek form of Hebrew satan, meaning "adversary." In the bible, this is the name of the inveterate enemy of God. In the New Testament, Hebrew satan is translated once into Greek Diabolos , and once using the word epiboulos, meaning "plotter." This is also the Late Latin and Old English form of Hebrew satan.

VELES (Велесъ): Variant form of Slavic Volos , meaning "ox." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the earth, underworld, dragons, cattle, magic and trickery. He is an enemy of Perun and is described as being horned and serpentine. VOLOS (Волосъ): Slavic name derived from the word volu, meaning "ox." In mythology, this is the name of a god of the earth, underworld, dragons, cattle, magic and trickery. He is an enemy of Perun and is described as being horned and serpentine. Also known as Veles . FEMALE: ALCESTIS: Latin form of Greek Alkestis , meaning "might of the home." In Greek mythology, this is the name of a princess who was rescued by Hercules when she descended into Hades in place of her husband. ALKESTIS (Άλκηστις): Greek name meaning "might of the home." In mythology, this is the name of a princess who was rescued by Hercules when she descended into Hades in place of her husband.

CHTHONIA : Latin form of Greek Khthonia , meaning "of the earth (especially the inner earth, i.e. underworld)." In mythology, this is an epithet of Hekate or Persephone . CORA : Latin form of Greek Kore , meaning "maiden." In mythology, this is a name borne by Persephone , a goddess of the underworld. ELYSIA (Ἠλύσια): From Greek Pedion Elysion, the name of the heavenly fields of Elysia, a section of the Underworld mentioned in Greek mythology. The mythological place name may have evolved from the designation of a place, or person, struck by lightning (enelysion, enelysios); if so, the name means "lightning-struck." ERESHKIGAL: Mesopotamian name meaning "great lady earth." In mythology, this is the name of a goddess of Irkalla, the land of the dead. FUAMNACH : Irish name meaning "jealous." In mythology, this is the name of the first wife of Midir , lord of the underworld.

She is a witch goddess who turns Midir's second wife, the heroine Étaín , into a pool of water, then a worm, and finally a beautiful butterfly. HECATE : Latin form of Greek Hekate , meaning "worker from far off." In mythology, this is the name of a goddess of witchcraft, demons, graves, and the underworld. HEKATE (Εκάτη): Variant form of Greek Hekabe , meaning "worker from far off." In mythology, this is the name of a goddess of witchcraft, demons, graves, and the underworld. KHTHONIA (Χθόνια): Feminine form of Greek Khthonios , meaning "of the earth (especially the inner earth, i.e. underworld)." In mythology, this is an epithet of Hekate or Persephone . KORE (Κόρη): Greek name meaning "maiden." In mythology, this is a title belonging to Persephone , a goddess of the underworld.

PERSEPHONE (Περσεφόνη): Greek name probably composed of the elements persô "person; human being" and phonos "murderer, slayer," hence "person-slayer." In mythology, this is the name of a goddess of the underworld, a daughter of Zeus and Demeter . Her Roman name is Proserpina . SEMELE (Σεμέλη): Greek name meaning "of the earth (or underworld)." In mythology, this is the name of a daughter of Cadmus , the mortal mother of Dionysos . Also known as Thyone . THYONE (Θυώνη): Greek name meaning "inspired frenzy." In mythology, this is the name Semele was called when her son Dionysos fetched her from Hades and brought her to Olympus. Page 1 of 1

Question: What is the name of the mythical, multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld?
Answer: Cerberus