Mythological Greek Creatures - Mythical Greek Creatures

The mythological creatures of the Greek civilization are world renowned and legendary. The strong mythology and power these creatures represented have echoed down through generations to build a history so strong and fearsome the Greek creatures are truly world famous.

With such a colourful and diverse mythology, the Greek creatures range from the fearsome to the fantastical, and all share a rich and deep history that has had us captivated for years, with their unique appearances, special abilities and powers.

From the powerful and fearsome Chimera, a fire breathing harbinger of death, to the mythical Greek Phoenix that represented rebirth and new life, Greek mythology never lets us down. We are going to look at some of the most popular and renowned Greek mythological creatures right here at Legends and Chronicles, including the fearsome Minotaur, the multi headed hydra and many more.

The Legend of the Greek Mythological Creatures

The power of the Greek mythology is that its stories and teachings are so rich and steeped in history that they carry great weight. In ancient Greece the myths were taught religiously, and even today the Greek mythology is still taught not just in Greece but around the world. The term Hellenismos is how the Greeks themselves describe this, and is part of the Hellenic religion that was wholly focused around the Greek gods, and focused on values, strength and courage.

The Story Telling of the Greek Creatures

Just one aspect of the Greek mythology, the amazing creatures that featured in their myths would allow the fantastical aspect of the stories to capture the imagination. This in turn makes it easier for the true meaning of the story to be absorbed, all the while forcing us to be intrigued with the amazing features, powers and fearsome nature the Greek mythological creatures possessed.

A Diverse Range of Monsters, Creatures and Giants

Not only did the Greek mythology cover amazing beasts like the Manticore and the Sphinx, they also covered a much wider range of creatures like giants, dragons, and unique sea creatures.

The Greek dragons were commonly refereed to as Dracones and were huge serpentine beasts that would typically guard and defend key locations and treasures. The Hydra is a prime example of a Greek dracone, a fearsome beast that rained terror upon local towns and villages.

Sea creatures were also common in the Greek mythology and these fearsome sea beasts would often be involved in conflict and struggles with some of the great Greek hero’s. You also have other humanoid sea creatures and legends, like the seductive sirens who would lure sailors astray, charming them from their course with their whimsical music.

Of course, let’s not forget the giants too, the Greek telling of the giants were traditionally huge human figures, sometimes even part man part beast. Cyclops is one of the more popular Greek giants, and actually they refer also to a tribe of giants as well as the figure that created many of the weapons for Greek characters.

The Greek heros who faced the mythical beasts

Every mythical creature requires a good hero, and the basis of many Greek myths was of course that heros exist. Take for example the Minotaur while not just a faceless beast, the Minotaur has his own story, but in turn a hero needed to arise to stop the sacrificial offerings that the Minotaur required.

Many Greek myths build on this story, of good Vs evil, but in many cases the shades of grey exist in many of the great Greek stories, which make then deep and stories or morality, humility and life in general.

The storytelling of the mythical Greek creatures in other societies

While ancient Greece provided the original stories of the mythical creatures, in time many cultures have spoken, wrote and taught the legends as well. Poets, artists and writers are all drawn to the extreme nature of the Greek mythology and none are more interesting than the fantastical creatures of ancient Greece.

The Arrival of the Greek Creatures

While Greek mythology has been spread through out the years through literary sources, the Greek mythological creates were also created in many pieces of art over the years. Paintings and drawings, and pottery and furnishing decorations, the Greek creatures were very commonly seen everywhere. The actual date of their arrival of the Greek beasts can be dated back to Greek literature and art from 900 – 800 BC.

The Magic of the Mythological Beasts

The Greek mythology is so deep and dense, that choosing one part that is my favourite is very difficult, however if I had to choose a favourite section, it would be the Greek mythological creatures. Their fearsome appearance, the amazing powers, and the creativity and richness of the descriptions make them as real as you want them to be. Just imagine as you walk in a forest, you hear a roar, and a mighty Manticore stands behind you, I would suggest that you should run as fast as possible.

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