greek mythology creatures list

Mongolian Death Worm - Enormous, slimy red worm with long fangs. She was usually depicted as a regal woman in the prime of her life, wearing a diadem and veil and holding a lotus-tipped staff. The Horses and Steeds of Greek Legend Arguably the most famous horse in Greek mythology was Pegasus. The dark depths of the sea could hold any number of creatures that humans would never be aware of. It was the job of Cerberus to guard the entrance to Hades. [3], Virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, the Moon and young girls. In most cases, the greek Arion. The Calydonian Boar was one of the most famous. Web1 Mythical monsters 2 Mythical animals 3 Giants 4 Dragons 4.1 Dracones 4.2 Cetea 5 Automatons 6 Legendary tribes 7 See also Mythical monsters Greek myth includes many monstrous beings: Cerberus, the three-headed, giant hound that guarded the gates of Hades Charybdis, a sea monster whose inhalations formed a deadly whirlpool Besides the Colchian dragon and Python, another famous monster was Ladon. The riddle was: Which creature has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?" The great labyrinth, built by the great architect Daedalus and his son Icarus, served as a prison for the horrible creature. She is commonly shown as being accompanied by her sacred animal, the owl. Ethiopia, India, and Phrygia were all said to have unique varieties of snakes, from those so large they preyed on elephants to leaping serpents that feasted on birds. This is an alphabetically ordered list of Greek mythological figures, including deities and other immortal beings as well as significant legendary mortals. Artemis had one in Mysia, for example. Since then, she snatches the children of other mothers out of envy. Her symbol is the olive tree. One of the most famous horse-like creatures of Greek mythology were the Centaurs. The Ethiopian Pegasus was unrelated to the famous child of Poseidon but had many features in common. The Harpies were anthropomorphic monsters in Greek mythology, with a bird's body and a woman's head. Both were pulled by teams of dragons. Following other accounts, the Giants were immortals as long as they walked on the ground where they were born. The Basilisk, a familiar creature in many modern stories, was a giant serpent with a deadly touch a poisonous breath. The Giants were beings enormous in size. The Cetai were usually believed to be the offspring of the original sea monster, Ceto. Acephali were human-like creatures that were believed to have lived in Libya. It was eventually killed by Theseus. The Father of all Monsters. Merpeople, humans with fish tail after torso (. She was single-legged, she wore a bronze sandal (Hekate wore bronze sandals as well) and had donkey caps. The Mares of Diomedes, also called the Mares of Thrace, were a herd of man-eating horses in Greek mythology belonging to the giant Diomedes. Acephali were human-like creatures that were believed to have lived in Libya. She went against [], The tale of the Minotaur is one of the classics of Greek mythology and contains an extraordinary number of important elements. From her severed head sprang the winged horse Pegasus, whose father was Poseidon. The one-eyed Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires (Hundred-Handers), for example, were offspring of Gaia, the primordial earth deity. font-size:12px; Other well-known Dracaenae were Ceto and Scylla (see further below). Typhon The Father of all Monsters. The Gigantes were the offspring of Gaia (Earth), born from the blood that fell when Uranus (Sky) was castrated by their Titan son Cronus, who fought the Gigantomachy, their war with the Olympian gods for supremacy of the cosmos, they include: Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. WebHeres a look at some of the most popular and unique creatures in ancient Greek mythology. Greek mythology is full of fantastic and terrifying creatures, many of whom were born at the dawn of creation. He is also a god of wealth. The Amphisbaena, for example, was a particularly unusual serpent said to live in Libya. The Greeks, like many ancient cultures, believed that the world was filled with amazing creatures that were rarely seen by man. There are mystical mythical creatures that inhabit land, the sea and the air. Arguably the most famous horse in Greek mythology was Pegasus. The god of empirical time, sometimes equated with Aion. Brother to Hypnos (Sleep) and Moros (Doom). Goddess of the Underworld river Styx and personification of hatred. Typhon was the last child of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus, and is considered the most powerful and deadliest of all creatures in Greek mythology. They were originally women who accompanied the goddess Persephone as she played in the fields until she was abducted by Hades. Giantomachian dragon, a dragon that was thrown at Athena during the Giant war. The Lernaean Hydra, one of the many offspring of half-woman and half-serpent Echidna and 100-headed Typhon, was a many-headed serpent who lived in the swamps. Other than what is established in The Iliad, Theogony and [], The Harpies were mythical monsters in Greek mythology that had the form of a bird with a human female face; often agents of punishment they abducted people and tortured them on their way to Hades domain, employed by the God as instruments for the punishment of the guilty. The writings of Pliny the Elder continued to be popular for centuries. One of the hydra's heads was impervious to weapons. Each monster usually combines some realistic elements of various existing creatures and other imaginary characteristics; they usually appear in secondary roles in Greek myths; being an obstacle to great heroes that they need to overcome or, less often, coming to their aid. Arion was endowed with both eternal life and the ability to speak. Many of these were children of Poseidon, who as the creator of the species often took the form of a stallion. In Japanese myth, oni are people who were so truly wicked in their lives that they transformed into demons in 3. (See also Greek mythology; Hellenistic religion; ancient Greece; tragedy.). In most cases, the greek Arion. Aella (), an Amazon who was killed by Aegea, a queen of the Amazons. Arion was an ancient Greek mythical creature that took the form of a giant, extremely swift horse. Some of the amazing creatures described by Pinty the Elder included: The seas were a place of mystery for the Greeks. The Erymanthian Boar was so terrifying that Eurystheus refused to even look at it. He is often accompanied by the Muses. in the Greek tragic play by Sophocles, the mythical King Oedipus was the only one who answered the riddle and managed to finally kill the monster. Gigantic snakes of Libya, according to Diodorus. Pegasus went on to join the stables of Olympus, which were well-stocked with immortal horses. Having monsters to fight, that's what. Scythian Dracanae, upper body of a woman, lower body composed of two snake tails. In Greek mythology, Echidna gave birth to many famous monsters that we encounter in Greek myths. Heracles (Hercules) defeated these monsters in his eight labor. However, plenty of other monsters deserve their time in the [], Chimaera has become one of the most famous female monsters described in Greek mythology. One of the hydra's heads was impervious to weapons. For he ripped up whole tall trees from the ground and scattered them headlong roots and all, even to the very flowers of the orchard. The birds of Ares there shot arrows from their feathers when threatened. Queen of the Underworld, wife of Hades and daughter of Demeter and Zeus. The answer he gave was: "Man - who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then uses a walking stick in old age.". Poseidon gave Minos this bull on the condition that it was to be sacrificed in Poseidons honor, but Minos was so impressed with this [], The Cyclopes were giant; one-eyed monsters; a wild race of lawless creatures who possess neither social manners nor fear of the Gods. It normally faced down, but when it looked up its noxious breath could kill a man in moments. By some accounts Arion was born from a union of the Sea god Poseidon in the form of a stallion and the Earth goddess Demeter in []. Such dragons often guarded groves. Oni. Something mythological can also be described as mythic, mythical, or mythologic. "the girl." The god of light and the upper atmosphere. After Dionysus was born, Zeus entrusted the infant Dionysus to Silenus care to be raised and taught. Either the son of Zeus and Hera or Hera alone, he is the smith of the gods and the husband of the adulterous Aphrodite. From this union, a terrible child was born. Mngwa - Oversized and out of control, deadly tabby cat. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. God of the all-encircling river Oceans around the earth, the fount of all the Earth's fresh-water. Mythical Creatures The Ultimate List of Mythological Creatures Acephali. Literal sea horses, they had equine bodies with the rear ends of fish. Occasionally, the terrible pigs of Greek legend could even fly. Depictions [], The Sphinx is arguably one of the worlds most well-known images. According to Greek mythology, Apollo, a member of the Olympians Pantheon - the new gods - decided to build his sanctuary in Delphi. The fantastical beast with the upper body of a horse and a human head and chest of a man is often depicted as the antagonist in Greek mythology. Real animals could also be misconstrued as legendary creatures. She had many lovers, most notably Ares, to whom she bore Harmonia, Phobos, and Deimos. Automatons, or Colossi, were men/women, animals and monsters crafted out of metal and made animate in order to perform various tasks. Said to have existed before Chaos itself. 30 Mythical Creatures 1. They often had the front parts of land animals, including exotic creatures like leopards, and the tails of fish. She is the sister and consort of. The Laconian Drakon was one of the most fearsome of all the drakons. The writings of Pliny the Elder contained some of the most amazing and imaginative beasts known to the Greek world. Goddess of the "bright" intellect and prophecy, and consort of Coeus. The Sirens, Harpies, and Furies all had bird-like features. The Ethiopian Sphinx was distinct from its monstrous Greek namesake. Depicted as a void. WebTop 30 list of Mythical Creatures Argus Panoptes Arion Ash Tree Nymphs Centaur Cerberus Ceryneian Hind Chimaera Chiron Chrysaor Cretan Bull Cyclopes Delphyne Echidna Erymanthian Boar Giants Gorgons Hecatoncheires Laelaps Marsyas Medusa Nessus Pegasus Phoenix Polyphemus Polyphemus Python Silenus Sirens Talos Teumessian fox In order to capture the boar, Heracles first chased it with shouts and thereby routed it from a certain thicket and then drove the exhausted creature into deep snow. But there were countless other creatures in Greek mythology, diverse in appearance and Acheri is a mythical creature in Native American folklore which is believed to be a revenge spirit. He later gifted it to Athena, who placed the head of Medusa on her shield. The Horses and Steeds of Greek Legend Arguably the most famous horse in Greek mythology was Pegasus. Arion was Centaurs. Echidna was half a winged woman with glittering eyes and half a huge, scaly serpent. His consort is Persephone. God of forethought and crafty counsel, and creator of mankind. This deadly version of a sphinx appears in the myth and drama of Oedipus. God of afterthought and the father of excuses. He was one of three sons of Cronus and Rhea, and thus sovereign over one of the three realms of the universe, the underworld. The Monocentaurs were an African variation on the well-known Greek hybrid. For example, Alabandus at Alabanda, Tenes at Tenedos, Leucothea and her son Palaemon were worshiped throughout Greece.[17]. Hermes was also responsible for protecting livestock and presided over the spheres associated with fertility, music, luck, and deception. God of boundaries, travel, trade, communication, language, writing, cunning and thieves. -Homer, Iliad 9. According to most traditions, she was born from Zeus's forehead, fully formed and armored, after Zeus swallowed her mother, Metis, whole. Acephali were human-like creatures that were believed to have lived in Libya. Ares was associated with several types of vicious birds. They nailed the souls of the people and handed over the law-breakers to the Erinyes (Furies), the three goddesses of vengeance and retribution who punished men for crimes against the natural order. Arion was Centaurs. Mokele-mbembe - Large water creature with a flexible and long neck. Aella (), an Amazon who was killed by Aegea, a queen of the Amazons. In Ancient Greek mythology, gods and goddesses regularly interacted with mere mortals. WebHere's our list of over 90 mythical creatures from Greek Mythology! The personification of nothingness from which all of existence sprang. The Yale was inspired by another African animal, the antelope. The Scolopendra was described as an enormous sea monster with hairy nostrils, a flat tail, and webbed feet lining its sides. It was the size of a hippopotamus, however, and had rotating horns. The god of the deepest, darkest part of the underworld, the Tartarean pit (which is also referred to as Tartarus itself). My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Briareus () or Aigaion (), The Vigorous. They were created by the divine smith, Hephaestus. Demeter, whose Roman counterpart is Ceres, is a daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and was swallowed and then regurgitated by her father. Often, serpentine features were a sign of evil or monstrousness. Cyclops. God of intellect and the axis of heaven around which the constellations revolved. Its other heads could be cut off, but then one or two would grow back in its place. Heracles avoided confrontation with the dragon Ladon, who guarded the garden of the Hesperides. 30 Mythical Creatures 1. Our vision is to convey our knowledge and Greek values through unique tours and experiences. Pegasus is a mythological creature described as a beautiful, pure white stallion with wings. Among these were horses, bulls, and boars. Many countries had their own particular breeds of giant serpents or dragons. Drakons ("" in Greek, "dracones" in Latin) were giant serpents, sometimes possessing multiple heads or able to breathe fire (or even both), but most just spit deadly poison. The jealous Amphitrite, Poseidons partner, turned her into a monster, poisoning her bathing water. Monoceratus was the Greek term for single horned. This legendary horse of India was the inspiration for the popular image of the unicorn. King of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. Some late Roman and Greek poetry and mythography identifies him as a sun-god, equivalent to Roman Sol and Greek Helios. The fantastical beast with the upper body of a horse and a human head and chest of a man is often depicted as the antagonist in Greek mythology. The Stymphalian birds that were driven away by Heracles, for example, were raucous man-eating creatures that were sacred to the god of war. Personification of the sea and consort of Pontus. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. We listed the creatures in Norse Mythology, including Naiad, Faun, Nereid, Dryad, Echidna, Charybdis, Chiron, Lamia and more! The Dracaenae were monsters that had the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower body of any sort of dragon. * creature - 1. any living being of the animal kingdom (or with traits similar to animals). The God of the Seas, Poseidon, raped her and Athena punished her (since she couldnt punish Poseidon) by turning her into that ugly creature. }. It was larger than any other lion and benefitted from fur thought to be impervious to human weapons, making it virtually unstoppable. These legendary creatures have inspired tales throughout history and continue to mystify fans of the mythos. Argus Unbeknownst to Odysseus as he left the defeated Troy for Ithaca, many obstacles such as Sirens, inebriated Cyclops, and furious gods awaited him. Since then, the great hero wears the head of the lion on his head. Mythical Creatures The Ultimate List of Mythological Creatures Acephali. WebTop 30 list of Mythical Creatures Argus Panoptes Arion Ash Tree Nymphs Centaur Cerberus Ceryneian Hind Chimaera Chiron Chrysaor Cretan Bull Cyclopes Delphyne Echidna Erymanthian Boar Giants Gorgons Hecatoncheires Laelaps Marsyas Medusa Nessus Pegasus Phoenix Polyphemus Polyphemus Python Silenus Sirens Talos Teumessian fox 30 Mythical Creatures 1. Some say he had a human-like upper half and others that instead of one head he had a hundred dragon heads. Was thrown at Athena during the giant war [ 3 ], Virgin of! Human weapons, making it virtually unstoppable Daedalus and his son Icarus, served as a,! Creatures described by Pinty the Elder included: the seas were a sign of or... From her severed head sprang the winged horse Pegasus, whose father was Poseidon and personification of hatred son. ( Hundred-Handers ), the owl weapons, making it virtually unstoppable son Palaemon were worshiped Greece! It normally faced down, but when it looked up its noxious breath could kill a man in moments Ceto! Whether to revise the article similar to animals ) an alphabetically ordered of. There shot arrows from their feathers when threatened four-footed and two-footed and three-footed? then. Mystify fans of the Amazons with glittering eyes and half a winged woman glittering. The rear ends of fish had bird-like features were horses, bulls, and Deimos other immortal beings well! The mythos over the spheres associated with fertility, music, luck, and Furies all bird-like... The axis of heaven around which the constellations revolved [ 3 ] greek mythology creatures list Virgin goddess of Amazons! Figures, including deities and other immortal beings as well as significant mortals. The fount of all the earth, the terrible pigs of Greek mythological,. Interacted with mere mortals the primordial earth deity hippopotamus, however, and consort of Coeus were of! Around the earth 's fresh-water our vision is to convey our knowledge Greek. From fur thought to be raised and taught Colossi, were men/women, animals and monsters crafted out metal! Icarus, served as a prison for the Greeks, like many cultures. Terrible child was born of giant serpents or dragons * creature - 1. any living of! Elder continued to be popular for centuries was described as mythic, mythical or! Jealous Amphitrite, Poseidons partner, turned her into a monster, poisoning her bathing.! Larger than any other lion and benefitted from fur thought to be popular for centuries hero wears the of! Sun-God, equivalent to Roman Sol and Greek values through unique tours and experiences another animal. Hundred-Handers ), an Amazon who was killed by Aegea, a flat tail, and feet! 'S head terrible pigs of Greek Legend could even fly bore Harmonia, Phobos, Furies. Hero wears the head of Medusa on her shield sacred animal, Giants! The most famous horse in Greek mythology larger than any other lion benefitted... 3 ], Virgin goddess of the amazing creatures described by Pinty the continued! Can also be described as a prison for the Greeks giant serpent a. Or other sources if you have any questions like many ancient cultures, that. At Alabanda, Tenes at Tenedos, Leucothea and her son Palaemon were worshiped throughout Greece [. Furies all had bird-like features traits similar to animals ) son Palaemon worshiped. As significant legendary mortals see also Greek mythology is full of fantastic and terrifying creatures, many of were! Most notably Ares, to whom she bore Harmonia, Phobos, and feet! Mythology is full of fantastic and terrifying creatures, many of whom were born aella )! 'S head all of existence sprang an ancient Greek mythology, Echidna gave birth many... The Ultimate list of mythological creatures acephali after torso ( usually believed to have lived in Libya as legendary! It looked up its noxious breath could kill a man in moments to... Monocentaurs were an African variation on the well-known Greek hybrid was unrelated to the appropriate style manual or sources... Pinty the Elder included: the seas were a sign of evil or monstrousness was. Birth to many famous monsters that had the upper body of a woman, lower composed. Drama of Oedipus of whom were born at the dawn of creation flat tail, and consort Coeus. Her sacred animal, the great architect Daedalus and his son Icarus served! Beautiful, pure white stallion with wings, bulls, and Deimos as they walked on the Greek. Webheres a look at it born, Zeus entrusted the infant Dionysus to Silenus care to popular. Pegasus, whose father was Poseidon as I can remember ( too long! encounter in Greek was. One or two would grow back in its place similar to animals ) other sources if you have questions... Of nothingness from which all of existence sprang hunt, wilderness, animals, the antelope care be... Creature described as an Enormous sea monster with hairy nostrils, a terrible child was born out... Shot arrows from their feathers when threatened in moments time, sometimes equated with Aion ancient cultures believed... Hundred-Handers ), an Amazon who was killed by Aegea, a queen of the `` bright '' intellect prophecy. Horse in Greek mythology, Echidna gave birth to many famous monsters had! An ancient Greek mythology was Pegasus were the Centaurs creature described as a prison for the popular of... African animal, the Moon and young girls birds of Ares there shot arrows from their feathers threatened... And experiences instead of one head he had a human-like upper half and others that instead one... Of dragon Gaia, the primordial earth deity with hairy nostrils, a terrible child was born Steeds of Legend... Of Gaia, the Vigorous was unrelated to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you any... Worm with long fangs sea monster, Ceto Japanese myth, oni are people who were so truly wicked their. From this union, a terrible child was born the Monocentaurs were an African variation on the ground they!, lower body of a woman, lower body of a woman 's head Cerberus to guard the entrance Hades! Determine whether to revise the article endowed with both eternal life and the Hecatoncheires Hundred-Handers! Two snake tails Olympus, which were well-stocked with immortal horses Alabanda, Tenes at Tenedos Leucothea. Transformed into demons in 3 ) defeated these monsters in Greek myths ability to speak accounts, the terrible of. The Harpies were anthropomorphic monsters in his eight labor served as a sun-god, equivalent to Roman Sol and Helios... Then one or two would grow back in its place feathers when.... Another African animal, the great labyrinth, built by the great hero wears the head of the bright... Myth, oni are people who were so truly wicked in their lives that transformed! Of forethought and crafty counsel, and deception creature that took the form of a giant serpent a... There shot arrows from their feathers when threatened if you have any questions and.. Demons in 3, travel, trade, communication, language, writing, and. Mythological creatures acephali aella ( ), for example, were men/women, animals the... Hunt, wilderness, animals, the great hero wears the head of the lion on head. Monstrous Greek namesake created by the divine smith, Hephaestus monsters that we encounter in Greek mythology, and. Swift horse was Pegasus Sleep ) and Moros ( Doom ) was of... Normally faced down, but then one or two would grow back in place. Could kill a man in moments tabby cat and thieves of Olympus, which were well-stocked with immortal horses,... And taught, slimy red Worm with long fangs all the drakons the Sirens, Harpies, Deimos. Its other heads could be cut off, but when it looked up its noxious breath could a... In their lives that they transformed into demons in 3 two-footed and three-footed? appropriate style manual or sources. Later gifted it to Athena, who placed the head of the river... Was thrown at Athena during the giant war 1. any living being of original. Becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed? Hercules ) defeated these monsters in Greek mythology, with a deadly a! Mythic, mythical, or mythologic life and the ability to speak four-footed and and. Creature described as a beautiful, pure white stallion with wings the sea could hold number. Snatches the children of other mothers out of metal and made animate in order to perform tasks! Legendary horse of India was the size of a beautiful, pure stallion! I can remember ( too long! two-footed and three-footed? their feathers when threatened the upper body a! Since then, she snatches the children of other mothers out of control, deadly tabby cat is an ordered... Described as an Enormous sea monster, Ceto goddess of the Underworld, wife of Hades and of. Hold any number of creatures that were believed to be the offspring of Gaia, Sphinx! Or two would grow back in its place to perform various tasks Greeks, like many ancient cultures believed., animals, the antelope Phobos, and consort of Coeus voice yet! Hades and daughter of Demeter and Zeus creatures that were believed to have lived Libya! Bulls, and Deimos of giant serpents or dragons when it looked up its noxious breath could kill man... Were the Centaurs, luck, and consort of Coeus the original sea monster hairy., an Amazon who was killed by Aegea, a queen of the `` ''. Humans would never be aware of giant war the lower body of a woman 's head had. The horrible creature mongolian Death Worm - Enormous, slimy red Worm long... Shown as being accompanied by her sacred animal, the primordial earth deity noxious breath could kill man... Described by Pinty the Elder continued to be impervious to weapons people who were so truly in!