Monsters of Greek Myhthology

Monsters in classical mythology are often typified as being part animal and part human, or a combination of animal forms. They are not really horror monsters, just unpleasant or nasty afflictions sent by the gods. They often are in the heroism myths overcome or destroyed as a goal of the hero’s quest.

There are numerous creatures as the goal to destroy by as many heroes. The monsters appear in all parts of the earth, heavens, and the underworld. Some mentioned here have a hint of the cultures that they are found in.

Cerberus is the watchdog of the realm of Hades, He is depicted as a three headed dog with a serpent tail, and on his back in snake heads.  Chained in front of the gates of the Underworld, he terrorizes souls upon their entering.  Cerberus was conquered by heroes such as Heracles and Orpheus.

Centaurs are considered savage and violent, these beings are half man and half horse. The live in the mountains and forests, their food is raw flesh, and their behavior is bestial. The centaurs are known for their drunkenness and lust and are often described as followers of Dionysus, god of wine. Centaurs are known for their battle against Heracles and were featured in some legends concerning abductions.

Chimera is a monster, a legendary beast in its shape from both a goat and a lion. Some stories say that it had the rear of a snake and the head of a lion on the body with the body of a goat and it breathed fire.

The Cyclopes were giants with one enormous eye in the middle of their forehead. They are considered the three sons of Uranus and Gaea, the embodiments of Heaven and Earth; they were thrown into the underworld by their brother Cronus, one of the Titans, after he dethroned Uranus. Zeus released the Cyclopes from the underworld and they gave him the gifts of thunder and lightning. They created Zeus' lightning bolts. They are lawless, savage and bestial.

Harpies are birds with the heads of women, long claws, and they leave behind filth and stench. They were originally sent by Zeus to torment a blinded soothsayer. They were driven away by the heroes of the Argonaut expedition

The monster called the Hydra was also the child of Echidna and Typhoon, a snake with numerous heads that were said to be human. It was a test for Heracles. The breath of the Hydra was so venomous that anyone who approached it would die. Heracles attempted to destroy it by cutting off its heads, but as soon as he did so more heads grew in their place. Heracles burnt the necks of its head of the monster with a torch in order to prevent from growing back. Heracles dipped his arrowheads in the Hydra's blood and made them extremely poisonous. The monsters of Classical Greek mythology are numerous and vary in size, appearance and strength.  Along with the Gods and heroes they are the most significant part of the mythology.