Happy Mondo Missy Monday, Missians!
Thanks for joining me for another edition of our May Mythical Beasts series. I hope you guys had an awesome weekend and are gearing up for a kick-butt week ahead. Speaking of kicking butt, today's mythical beast is one who does just that, (or at least takes a bite out of a few). He or "it" definitely doesn't sound like a creature you'd want to go up against at all.
Today's mythical beast is Cerberus, the three-headed dog from Greek mythology who guarded the underworld, (Hades). Hades was the place (and also the name of the god of the underworld), that Greeks believed people went to when they died. Hades was a lot like the old roach motel commercials that used to air back in the day, where they said, "you can check in, but you can't check out." It was Cerberus's job to make sure that's exactly how things unfolded. Once you went to the underworld, you weren't permitted to ever come back out, (even though we know in Greek mythology, there were some cases where people did get out).
Today's information about Cerberus is provided courtesy of Greek Gods and Goddesses.net:
CERBERUS: HTTPS://GREEKGODSANDGODDESSES.NET - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 7, 2017
Thanks for joining me for another edition of our May Mythical Beasts series. I hope you guys had an awesome weekend and are gearing up for a kick-butt week ahead. Speaking of kicking butt, today's mythical beast is one who does just that, (or at least takes a bite out of a few). He or "it" definitely doesn't sound like a creature you'd want to go up against at all.
Today's mythical beast is Cerberus, the three-headed dog from Greek mythology who guarded the underworld, (Hades). Hades was the place (and also the name of the god of the underworld), that Greeks believed people went to when they died. Hades was a lot like the old roach motel commercials that used to air back in the day, where they said, "you can check in, but you can't check out." It was Cerberus's job to make sure that's exactly how things unfolded. Once you went to the underworld, you weren't permitted to ever come back out, (even though we know in Greek mythology, there were some cases where people did get out).
Today's information about Cerberus is provided courtesy of Greek Gods and Goddesses.net:
CERBERUS: HTTPS://GREEKGODSANDGODDESSES.NET - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 7, 2017
Parents of Cerberus:
According to Greek mythology, TYPHON was the father of Cerberus. He was a large fire-breathing dragon who was also a god. He had large glowing red eyes, a hundred wings as well as a hundred heads. The gods who lived on Mount Olympus were very afraid of Typhon.
The life mission of Typhon was to destroy the world as well as put obstacles in the path of Zeus who was trying to move toward the Kingdom of Heaven. Typhon was known for his ability to cause fear and spread disaster. The mother of Cerberus was Echidna. She was a creature that was half snake and half human woman. She had the head and torso of a beautiful woman. ECHIDNA was known for her deep black eyes. The lower part of her body was that of a serpent. She lived in a cave and lured men there before she consumed them.
Watchdog of the Underworld:
The primary job of Cerberus in Greek mythology was as a watchdog for the underworld. He was also a faithful servant to Hades, who was the god of the underworld. Cerberus is most often depicted moving along the banks of the river Styx. This river was the established boundary between the dead of the underworld and the living of the earth. Cerberus was responsible for guarding the gates to the underworld. The three-headed dog prevented those who were dead from escaping, as well as kept the living from going there without the permission of Hades. Cerberus was very kind and friendly to the dead, as well as any new spirits who entered the underworld. He would also become savage and would eat any of them who tried to get past him and go back to the land of the living.
Cerberus And Heracles:
HERACLES was sent by Euripides, who was the king of Tiryns, to capture Cerberus from the king of the underworld. He wanted the three-headed dog brought back.
This is known as the twelfth and final labor of Heracles. The reason this was requested of Heracles by Euripides is that it was believed to be impossible. This is the main reason Heracles wanted to do it. During this task, Heracles had help from the guide of the underworld known as HERMES as well as the GODDESS ATHENA.
Capture Of Cerberus:
There are a variety of accounts covering how Heracles captured Cerberus. HADES was the god of the underworld. In the most popular account, Heracles was told by Hades he could have Cerberus if he defeated the animal using only the weapons he carried with him.
In this version, Heracles uses his lion-skin shield to protect himself from two of the dog’s heads as he chokes the third one. Cerberus then submits to Heracles. According to this myth, Hades still opposed Heracles taking Cerberus, so he shot Hades with a stone point arrow. In another account, Heracles does battle with Hades and wins.
For further reading on Cerberus, check out the rest of the article at the above website, or at this Wikipedia link:
Well, I don't know about you, but Cerberus's parents actually sound much more scary than him, (or should he be known as "them" since he has three heads)? Although none of my research made it seem as though each head had it's own name or identity. Either way, I still wouldn't want to run up against him--and definitely not his parents (in the Wikipedia article, his siblings didn't sound much better).
I did find it refreshing though, that Cerberus could be known as kind at times to the new spirits entering the underworld, and to those already there who didn't try to cross him. It seems his vicious side was mainly reserved for those either trying to escape, or those trying to enter the underworld who weren't actually dead.
What are your thoughts on Cerberus?
Evil? Or just doing his job? Bad? Or just stuck with a tough job, and doing what was required of him? Was Heracles (Hercules) wrong to bother him?
Evil? Or just doing his job? Bad? Or just stuck with a tough job, and doing what was required of him? Was Heracles (Hercules) wrong to bother him?
While you guys ponder these questions, don't forget we have one more May Mythical Beast coming up on Memorial Day. Because I have some plans going on later that day, my post on Pan may come out a day early on Sunday, May 26th. But I'll let you guys know in advance. Next week, we'll also have our upcoming June Pet and Animal Holidays post and our June blog post schedule (which means we're that much closer to Christmas in July)!
Until next week,
This is your host J,
signing off...
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| Cerberus at the feet of Hades, guarding the underworld |
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