Theres' Beastiary

[Theres]

this might be fun!
what i have in mind here is a thread which will explore all the animals of myth, whether fantasic mythological beasts or real animals who occur in the myths and legends.

the first up will be the Chimaera, an incredible beast which roamed ancient Caria (in Asia Minor). Chimaera had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, but i think Homer description is better than i can ever do...
"... a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire".

Chimaera was finally slain by Bellerophon of Corinth (grandfather of Sarpedon and Glaucus, of Iliad fame) as part of a dubious quest he was sent on but not expected to complete without being killed.
however he was successful and became a great Hero, although this reputation was not to last.

more...

http://thanasis.com/modern/chimaera.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology)

here is an image of Chimaera as depicted on an ancient coin from Sikyon, near Corinth on the Peloponnese...

[brier_thorne]

Great idea! I love obscure mythological beasties! I have a good one :thumbsup:

Amphisbaena:

Two headed lizard or (usually) serpent with one head at each end, usually depicted with horns on the forward head, wings, and two feet. Claims origins in both Greek and African mythology. With two heads it can move in both directions. Some sources say that they are formed from the blood of the Gorgon.

Sir Thomas Browne (http://penelope.uchicago.edu/pseudodoxia/pseudo315.html)
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphisbaena)

[David19]

Cool thread, and cool info.

Huwawa

monstrous semi-divine being, guardian of the Cedar Forest, appointed by Enlil, he has the teeth of a Dragon, the eyes of a Lion, he can kill humans with his eyes, can paralyze humans (which is what he did to Gilgamesh), he can pronounce judgement on people just by shaking his head.

Here are some links:

The Myth of Gilgamesh and Huwawa (http://templeofsumer.org/myth13.html)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbaba

http://www.piney.com/GilgaHuw.html

http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1/tr1815.htm - Version A - direct translation, IMO, it's harder to read, but, if you want to check out more Sumerian texts, go to here (http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/index1.htm) (I'd use it, if I knew how to work it!).

http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1/tr18151.htm - Version B - direct translation

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=66210&rendTypeId=4

http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/ps118355_m.jpg

More pics here (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Huwawa+&gbv=2).