MONSTERS

from Greek Mythology

Cyclops

What is this? Giant creature

with one eye More than one are

called Cyclopes (sigh-kloe-PEES)

Notable Cyclops in The Odyssey is Polyphemus

Argus

Who does this resemble?

Creature with 100 eyes

Slayed by Hermes and his eyes given to Hera

She put them on the feathers of her bird the peacock

Chimera

What is this? the body and

maned head of a lion, a goat's head rising from its back, and a serpentine tail

Centaur

What is this? Head and torso of

a man and body and legs of a horse

Cerberus

Who is this? Giant three-

headed dog Guarded the

gates of the Land of the Dead

Gorgon

What is this? Hair is a cluster of

writhing snakes with hideous faces

Can you name a famous gorgon?

Griffin

What is this? Head of an eagle

and the body of a lion

Hydra

What is this? Many-headed sea

serpent Every time a head

is severed two grow in its place.

Eventually killed by Hercules (Heracles)

Harpies

What are these? Have the face of

a woman but the body and wings of a bird

Minotaur

What is this? Head of a bull and

the body of a man Kept in a labyrinth,

or extensive maze Ate people Killed by Greek

hero Theseus

Pegasus

What is this? winged horse that

carries the thunderbolt of Zeus

He sprang full-grown from the spilled blood of the dying Gorgon Medusa.

Not a unicorn!

Phoenix

What is this? Mythical firebird Lives for 500

years Reproduces itself

at death Dies by fire and

from its ashes, its offspring is born

Sirens

What are these? Winged women

with deadly addictive voices

They lure sailors to their death with their song.

Sphinx

What is this? Head of a woman,

wings of a bird, and the body of a lion

A bit different from the Egyptian sphinx

Titans

Who are they? Not those Titans! The Titans from

Greek Mythology were a generation of 12 gods and goddesses who were overthrown by Zeus and the other Olympians.