Medusa
Medusa-The Gorgon Medusa was a monstrous, yet mortal creature that had the power to turn anyone who looked at her into stone.
Medusa and two sisters of hers, Stheno and Evryale, were Gorgons, with frightful eyes, brass hands and living snakes on their head instead of hair. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, however she was more powerful than her sisters.
Medusa got finally killed by Perseus, the founder of Mycenae. Her head was given to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the goddess took the head and placed it on her aegis.
Medusa and two sisters of hers, Stheno and Evryale, were Gorgons, with frightful eyes, brass hands and living snakes on their head instead of hair. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, however she was more powerful than her sisters.
Medusa got finally killed by Perseus, the founder of Mycenae. Her head was given to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the goddess took the head and placed it on her aegis.
Cyclopes
Cyclopes-Family of the Cyclopes The Cyclopes were minor power gods of the second generation and children of Uranus and Gaea according to Hesiod, or Greek god Poseidon and the Sea Nymph Thoosa, according to Greek author Homer.
Appearance of the Cyclopes The Cyclopes were huge monsters with frightening features which liked to eat human beings. They were leading a debauched life and their works were always full of force, violence and intrigues.
Why did the Cyclopes had only one eye? According to the legend, the Cyclopes had only one eye because they traded one eye in order to see the future. The only future they were able to learn after that, was the day of their death.
The Fame of the Cyclopes In general, the Cyclopes had the fame of being great workmen and were assisting Greek god Hephaestus in constructing the lightnings of Zeus under the volcano of Aetna in Italy. The Cyclopes were also constructing thick walls, known as "Cyclopean Walls".
The Cyclopes and Zeus Because of their dreadful features, the Cyclopes were initially locked in the depths of the Underworld by their father Uranus, but Greek Zeus soon decided to release them from their prison. They thanked Zeus by giving him the thunder and the lightning as a gift.
Appearance of the Cyclopes The Cyclopes were huge monsters with frightening features which liked to eat human beings. They were leading a debauched life and their works were always full of force, violence and intrigues.
Why did the Cyclopes had only one eye? According to the legend, the Cyclopes had only one eye because they traded one eye in order to see the future. The only future they were able to learn after that, was the day of their death.
The Fame of the Cyclopes In general, the Cyclopes had the fame of being great workmen and were assisting Greek god Hephaestus in constructing the lightnings of Zeus under the volcano of Aetna in Italy. The Cyclopes were also constructing thick walls, known as "Cyclopean Walls".
The Cyclopes and Zeus Because of their dreadful features, the Cyclopes were initially locked in the depths of the Underworld by their father Uranus, but Greek Zeus soon decided to release them from their prison. They thanked Zeus by giving him the thunder and the lightning as a gift.
Harpies
Harpies-Family of the Harpies The Harpies were born from Thaumas, a god of the wet element and the sea Nymph Electra, a daughter of Oceanus. Their homeland was most probably Thrace, in northern Greece.
The most known Harpies were Ocypete (the "swift-flying"), Nicothoe , Aello (the "storm swift") and Celaeno (the "dark"). Homer also mentions Podarga (the "swift-footed"), who was the mother of Achilles' horses.
Appearance of the Harpies The Harpies were female creatures with the head of a woman, bronze wings attached to their bodies and sharp claws. According to Hesiod their hair was nice, long and floating.
Harpies, the snatchers of souls The Harpies were the messengers of Hades, the god of the Underworld. According to the legend, their mission was to steal away the children and the souls of the people. For this reason, they were often depicted in graves, holding the soul of the dead person with their claws.
The Punishment of Phineus The Harpies were notorious for their speed voracious appetite and their obnoxious smells. One time, the gods wanted to punish Phineus, the king of Thrace, because he revealed the future to the people. His punishment would be eternal hunger. So the gods ordered the Harpies to swoop down from the sky, snatching away the food from the king's banquet table. The little food they left behind stank so strongly that nobody could touch it.
Famous Harpies in Greek Mythology Ocypete (the speediest Harpy)
The most known Harpies were Ocypete (the "swift-flying"), Nicothoe , Aello (the "storm swift") and Celaeno (the "dark"). Homer also mentions Podarga (the "swift-footed"), who was the mother of Achilles' horses.
Appearance of the Harpies The Harpies were female creatures with the head of a woman, bronze wings attached to their bodies and sharp claws. According to Hesiod their hair was nice, long and floating.
Harpies, the snatchers of souls The Harpies were the messengers of Hades, the god of the Underworld. According to the legend, their mission was to steal away the children and the souls of the people. For this reason, they were often depicted in graves, holding the soul of the dead person with their claws.
The Punishment of Phineus The Harpies were notorious for their speed voracious appetite and their obnoxious smells. One time, the gods wanted to punish Phineus, the king of Thrace, because he revealed the future to the people. His punishment would be eternal hunger. So the gods ordered the Harpies to swoop down from the sky, snatching away the food from the king's banquet table. The little food they left behind stank so strongly that nobody could touch it.
Famous Harpies in Greek Mythology Ocypete (the speediest Harpy)
Typhon
Typhon- Family of Typhon Typhon was a monstrous creature and the offspring of
Gaea, the Mother Earth, and Tartarus, a lower god of the Underworld. Typhon
mated with Echidna, who was half woman and half snake and they created creatures
that would bring terror and mischief to mankind: Orthos, a two-headed
dog, Cerberus, a three-headed dog, Lernaea Hydra, a chtonic,
serpent-like creature with numerous heads and Chimaira, an awful creature
with the body of a goat, the tail of a snake or dragon and the head of a lion.
The Appearance of TyphonTyphon was part man and part beast. Below his thighs he had huge curled snakes, which when fully extended, reached his head and emitted hisses.
Typhon was the largest and strongest child of Gaea. He rose higher than all the mountains and with his head he could scrape the stars.
Typhon had wings and feathers all over his body. His hair was filthy and his eyes were flashing fire. From his huge arms sprang a hundred heads of a fierce dragon with black tongues. When Typhon stretched his arms, he was able to reach the west from one side and the east from the other.
Typhon's MissionTyphon was sought to destroy the world and to put obstacles to Zeus along his way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Everywhere Typhon went , he would spread fear and disaster.
http://www.greek-gods.info/monsters/typhon/
The Appearance of TyphonTyphon was part man and part beast. Below his thighs he had huge curled snakes, which when fully extended, reached his head and emitted hisses.
Typhon was the largest and strongest child of Gaea. He rose higher than all the mountains and with his head he could scrape the stars.
Typhon had wings and feathers all over his body. His hair was filthy and his eyes were flashing fire. From his huge arms sprang a hundred heads of a fierce dragon with black tongues. When Typhon stretched his arms, he was able to reach the west from one side and the east from the other.
Typhon's MissionTyphon was sought to destroy the world and to put obstacles to Zeus along his way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Everywhere Typhon went , he would spread fear and disaster.
http://www.greek-gods.info/monsters/typhon/
Cerberus
Cerberus- Cerberus was the hound of Hades’, the god of the Underworld. He was guarding the entrance to the underworld to prevent the dead from exiting. Cerberus was usually depicted as huge and monstrous dog with three heads and snakes on its tail and mane.
According to the Greek poet Aeschylus, Cerberus was born out of the Giants Typhoon and Echidna. Cerberus used to be a frightful opponent of Greek hero Heracles, because, on his labours, Heracles had killed Cerberus' three siblings, the Lion of Nemea, The Lernaean Hydra and the dog Orthus.
According to the Greek poet Aeschylus, Cerberus was born out of the Giants Typhoon and Echidna. Cerberus used to be a frightful opponent of Greek hero Heracles, because, on his labours, Heracles had killed Cerberus' three siblings, the Lion of Nemea, The Lernaean Hydra and the dog Orthus.
Satyrs
Satyrs- Apperance of the Satyrs The Satyrs were mythological creatures with the upper part of their body of a man and the lower half of a goat. The leader of the Satyrs was god Pan.
The Satyrs' Way of Life Usually the Satyrs resided in woods and mountains or were accompanying the Greek god of wine Dionysus on his journeys, dancing around joyfully with the Nymphs and drinking.
The Satiric Drama The Satyrs also gave their name to a specific type of theatrical play, the satiric drama, that parodies popular myths of Greek gods and heroes. The Roman name of Satyrs is "faun"
The Satyrs' Way of Life Usually the Satyrs resided in woods and mountains or were accompanying the Greek god of wine Dionysus on his journeys, dancing around joyfully with the Nymphs and drinking.
The Satiric Drama The Satyrs also gave their name to a specific type of theatrical play, the satiric drama, that parodies popular myths of Greek gods and heroes. The Roman name of Satyrs is "faun"
Minotaur
Minotaur -The Minotaur was a cannibalistic monster with the body of a man and the head of
a bull. His actual name was Asterios.
The Birth of the MinotaurMinotaur was created by Pasiphaë, the wife of
King Minos, when she mated with a bull that was sent to her by god Poseidon.
Myths about Minotaur
Theseus and the Minotaur
a bull. His actual name was Asterios.
The Birth of the MinotaurMinotaur was created by Pasiphaë, the wife of
King Minos, when she mated with a bull that was sent to her by god Poseidon.
Myths about Minotaur
Theseus and the Minotaur
Giants
Giants- The Creation of the Giants The Giants were 24 frightful monsters in Ancient Greece. They were conceived during the castration of the Titan Uranus by his son Cronus, when his blood dripped onto the earth and fertilized Mother Earth Gaea. The Giants were demigods, but not immortal. According to an oracle, one god alone had not the capacity to kill a Giant, but once a god found a mortal as his ally, he was able to destroy him once and for all.
Appearance of the Giants The Giants were impressive creatures as tall as the mountains and unassailable in strength. Their body was hairy, ending in a lizard's tail, and their feet were formed from dragons' scales.
Myths about Giants The Giants' Battle against the Olympian Gods
Appearance of the Giants The Giants were impressive creatures as tall as the mountains and unassailable in strength. Their body was hairy, ending in a lizard's tail, and their feet were formed from dragons' scales.
Myths about Giants The Giants' Battle against the Olympian Gods
Sphinx
Sphinx- The Sphinx was a winged monster of Anatolian origin. It had heavenly powers and was settled near the city of Ancient Thebes, spreading destruction and bad luck to the entire district.
Appearance of the Sphinx The Sphinx had long hair, the body of a lion, the chest and wings of a bird and the head of a woman.
The Riddle of the Sphinx The Sphinx used to sit outside of Thebes, asking the same riddle to anyone who passed by. The riddle was going as follows:
"What goes on four legs at dawn, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"
Would the traveler fail to solve the riddle, he was cursed to die.
Oedipus and the Solution to the Riddle No one was ever capable of answering correctly... until one day, Oedipus came along. Oedipus was promised the hand of the princess should he interpret the riddle correctly.
As he was famous for his wisdom, Oedipus found the answer to the riddle with ease, replying:
"Man, who as a baby crawls on four legs, then walks on two legs as an adult and in old age walks with a cane as his third leg..."
The Sphinx became so frustrated about this answer that it committed suicide immediately , throwing herself from a high rock. The Roman name of Sphinx is "Sfinge"
Appearance of the Sphinx The Sphinx had long hair, the body of a lion, the chest and wings of a bird and the head of a woman.
The Riddle of the Sphinx The Sphinx used to sit outside of Thebes, asking the same riddle to anyone who passed by. The riddle was going as follows:
"What goes on four legs at dawn, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"
Would the traveler fail to solve the riddle, he was cursed to die.
Oedipus and the Solution to the Riddle No one was ever capable of answering correctly... until one day, Oedipus came along. Oedipus was promised the hand of the princess should he interpret the riddle correctly.
As he was famous for his wisdom, Oedipus found the answer to the riddle with ease, replying:
"Man, who as a baby crawls on four legs, then walks on two legs as an adult and in old age walks with a cane as his third leg..."
The Sphinx became so frustrated about this answer that it committed suicide immediately , throwing herself from a high rock. The Roman name of Sphinx is "Sfinge"
Centaurs
Centaurs- How did the Centaurs look like? The head, the arms and the torso of the Centaurs had the human shape and their lower part was that of a horse. Their diet was adjusted according to their physical shape.
Family of the Centaurs The Centaurs were the offspring of Ixion, the king of Lapithae (Thessaly), and the rain cloud Nephele.
Personality of the Centaurs With only few exceptions, such as Cheiron,the gentle Tutor, the Centaurs were lawless, aggressive creatures and were usually drunk.
The Expelling of the Centaurs The Centaurs were mainly living on Mount Pelion in Thessaly. There was a time when the Centaurs got involved in a struggle with the Lapiths, known as "Centauromachy", when trying to intrude and cause trouble during the wedding feast of the Lapiths' King Peritheios with Ippodameia. Because of the Centauromachy, the Centaurs were expelled from Thessaly.
Mount Pelion, the residence of the Centaurs
Famous Centaurs in Greek Mythology Chiron (tutoring) Nessus (the river's ferryman)
Graeae
Graeae The Graeae were probably three monstrous sisters with the names Enyo ("the shocking"), Pemphredo ("the horryfying") and Deino ("the dreadful"). They became famous as the guards of the Gorgons, and Medusa in particular.
Family of the Graeae The Graeae were the daughters of Phorcys, the god of danger, and the sea goddess Ceto. They were the sisters of the Gorgons.
The Appearance of the Graeae The Graeae had grey hair and the form of old women since their birth. The possessed a total of one eye and one tooth, which they shared among each other. Enyo used to wear beautiful veils, whereas Pemphredo was wearing deep yellow veils. Deino was the most frightful one.
The Residence of the Graeae The Graeae were living close to Hades, the god of the underworld, and probably therefore they had never seen the light of the sun and the moon.
Family of the Graeae The Graeae were the daughters of Phorcys, the god of danger, and the sea goddess Ceto. They were the sisters of the Gorgons.
The Appearance of the Graeae The Graeae had grey hair and the form of old women since their birth. The possessed a total of one eye and one tooth, which they shared among each other. Enyo used to wear beautiful veils, whereas Pemphredo was wearing deep yellow veils. Deino was the most frightful one.
The Residence of the Graeae The Graeae were living close to Hades, the god of the underworld, and probably therefore they had never seen the light of the sun and the moon.
Hecatonchires
Hecatonchires- The Hecatonchires were three monsters with hundred hands and fifty heads Greek pronunciation English pronunciation
- The Hecatonchires were born out of Gaea, the Mother Earth, and Uranus, the Heaven, during the creation of the world. There where three Hecatonchires in Greek mythology: Briareus, the Vigorous, Cottus, the Furious and Gyes, the Big-Limbed. All of them were strong, proud monsters, huge and terrible, each of them having hundred hands and fifty heads growing from their shoulders.
Gaea loved all her children without exception, even the Hecatonchires. Uranus, however, got scared on the mere sight of them and found their feature appalling and disgusting, so he decided to push them into the depths of Gaea, the Tartarus, making Gaea heave loud groans.
The Hecatonchires took later on revenge on Uranus by taking part in the Titanomachy (the battle of the Olympian gods against the Titans) , where they made use of their many hands to throw rocks at the Titans.