Greek mythology

Creatures — Greek mythology

Centaurs, half-man half-horse creatures of Greek mythology

Greek Centaurs: half-man half-horse, their origin, the Centauromachy against the Lapiths, wise Chiron as teacher to heroes, and their place between nature and civilization.

Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the gates of the Underworld, ancient Greek sculpture

Cerberus, guardian of the Underworld in Greek mythology

Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the realm of Hades: origin, role in the underworld, the twelfth labor of Heracles, and other mortal intrusions.

Medusa with serpent hair, Gorgon mask, ancient Greek apotropaic motif

Medusa, the Gorgon with the Petrifying Gaze

Medusa, Gorgon with serpentine hair and a deadly gaze: origin, Athena's curse, death at the hands of Perseus, and the birth of Pegasus.

Pegasus, the white winged horse of Greek mythology, ancient marble sculpture

Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology

Pegasus, born from Medusa's blood: the winged horse who carried Bellerophon against the Chimera, created the spring of the Muses, and became a constellation.

The Chimera, hybrid monster of Greek mythology, with its lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail

The Chimera, fire-breathing hybrid monster of Greek mythology

The Chimera, Greek hybrid monster with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail: divine origin, devastation of Lycia, and death at the hands of Bellerophon riding Pegasus.

The Cyclops in Greek mythology: Polyphemus and the sons of Poseidon

The Cyclops in Greek mythology: Hesiod's divine smiths who forged Zeus's thunderbolt, and Homer's giant sons of Poseidon — above all Polyphemus, blinded by Odysseus.

The Lernaean Hydra, a multi-headed serpent in combat with Heracles, ancient Greek ceramic

The Lernaean Hydra, the many-headed serpent of Greek mythology

The Lernaean Hydra: a monstrous water serpent whose heads grow back when severed, the second labor of Heracles, its immortal venom, and its enduring symbolic legacy.

The Minotaur, bull-headed human-bodied creature, depicted on an ancient Greek vase

The Minotaur, Monster of the Labyrinth of Crete

The Minotaur, half-man half-bull creature imprisoned in Daedalus's Labyrinth: origin, the cult at Knossos, Athens's tribute, and death at the hands of Theseus.

The Sirens, deadly enchanters of Greek mythology

The Sirens of Greek mythology: half-woman half-bird, their deadly song, Odysseus's ordeal, the Argonauts' escape, and the symbol of fatal seduction in antiquity.

The Sphinx of Thebes, a creature with a woman's head, lioness body, and eagle wings, ancient Greek vase painting

The Sphinx of Greek Mythology: the creature with the fatal riddle

The Greek Sphinx: hybrid monster sent by Hera to terrorize Thebes, its legendary riddle, Oedipus's answer, and what this creature reveals about knowledge and death.