I like mythology, is really a form of archaeological psychology. I think Mythology gives you a sense of what a people believes, what they fear.
If you love literature or history then certainly you must love Mythology cause is the handmaid of literature.
I just love rolling up my sleeves and doing research, and I especially love doing research on the origins of folklore and the origins of mythology.
Egyptian and Greek methodology are the most fascinating, in Nigeria I think the Yoruba mythology are so cool.
There are many unique creatures mentioned in Greek mythology. One of the most well known may be the three-headed dog known as Cerberus. It was the job of Cerberus to guard the entrance to Hell.
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.
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 were dead from escaping as well as kept the living from going there without the permission of Hades. Cerberus was very kinds 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 is featured in many different types of literature. In the book “Dante’s Inferno,” Cerberus is mentioned as guarding the third circle of hell. Homer’s Iliad makes reference to the labors of Heracles. There are a number of Roman works of literature where Cerberus is mentioned. In Norse mythology, there is a dog that is similar to Cerberus and is known as Garm.
In Egypt, the dog that guards the tombs of the pharaohs, and guides the souls to the underworld is known as Anubis. Cerberus is also mentioned in popular culture. In the book and film “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” there is a three-headed dog known as Fluffy. It can be made to go to sleep with the sound of a flute.
Though he is undoubtedly one of the toughest
characters in the demon or human world,
Naberius (as he is called in his modern form)
is said to be very friendly and extremely fair.
He maintains some connection to the
Underworld, where he (possibly) lived for so
long, and has the power to raise the dead if
necessary.
To summon Naberius, one can put a red
candle on a plank of wood from an ash tree
and float it upon water, to represent the
ferryman Charon bringing souls to Cerberus in
the old days of the Underworld.