Dogs
The Golden Dog
This magnificent creature, a gift from Rhea, the earth goddess, held a sacred duty. On the island of Crete, it stood guard over the infant Zeus, the future king of the gods. Fearing for her son’s life from his power-hungry father, Cronus, Rhea needed a protector as fierce and loyal as the goddess herself. The Golden Dog, with its gleaming coat and unwavering gaze, became Zeus’ constant companion, a symbol of unwavering vigilance.
Years passed, and Zeus grew into a powerful figure. The Golden Dog’s earthly duty neared its end. However, Zeus, forever grateful for his loyal guardian, wouldn’t let their bond be forgotten. In a gesture of immense honor, he placed the Golden Dog amongst the stars, transforming it into the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.
Laelaps
Killed by: Zeus
This legendary dog, a gift from Zeus himself, possessed an extraordinary ability: he was destined to always catch his prey. His fame spread far and wide, passed down through generations of heroes – from Europa to Minos, Procris, and finally, Cephalus.
Cephalus, tasked with ridding Thebes of a monstrous menace – the Teumessian Fox – unleashed Laelaps. This fox, however, was cursed with the opposite fate: forever evading capture. A relentless chase ensued, a spectacle both awe-inspiring and perplexing. Laelaps, with unmatched speed and purpose, closed in on the fox, only to see it vanish at the last moment. The fox, forever a step ahead, seemed to possess an uncanny ability to anticipate Laelaps’ every move.
This paradox, a dog destined to catch and a fox fated to escape, left Zeus with a dilemma. Unable to break the celestial enchantments, he turned both creatures to stone, their forms forever locked in an eternal chase.
Orthrus
Parents: Echidna and Typhon
Offspring: Sphinx and Nemean Lion
Killed by: Heracles
Orthrus, a monstrous entity with two ferocious heads and a serpent’s tail, served as the loyal (and terrifying) guardian of Geryon’s prized possessions – a herd of magnificent red cattle on the remote island of Erytheia. His dual heads allowed for constant vigilance, and his serpentine tail promised a venomous bite to anyone foolish enough to approach.
This fearsome guardian became a hurdle in Heracles’ legendary labors. Tasked with stealing Geryon’s cattle, the mighty hero had to contend with Orthrus first. A brutal clash ensued, with Heracles’ raw strength pitted against the monstrous dog’s savage fury. In the end, Orthrus met his demise, his two ferocious heads silenced forever.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 