The Monster Dogs Of Greek Mythology

Orthros was the protector of Geryon's (whom was a three bodied giant) crimison cattle as King Eurytion of the sun set isle of Ertheia he was a giant as well was the herder of these animals. The tenth labor of Hercules is what brought an end to the two head dog and the king of sun set of isle of Ertheia as well as Geryon. Hercules was to bring the cattle of Geryons to Eurystheus but in order to this he had to kill both monster dog and giant(s).

Hercules made camp above the mountain of the herd and made mind to get the cattle the next day but this did not go as planed because the Orthros smelt Hercules and made an attack on him only to be clubbed to death by Hercules then to fight Echidna when he came to help Orthros not knowing it was to late to save him lost his life as well to the hands of Hercules. Upon hearing what had happen Greyons came to take back what was his and fought with Hercules but even with his massive strength and three bodies he was still no match for him and lost his life as well. So within that day two massive giants and a giant of a dog lost their lives.

Orthros was not mentioned any where else in the Greek Myths; this was his only part through it all. It is said that he was feared but he kept to himself and never harmed unless he or his cattle or owner was threatened other than that he was just a normal but very large dog with a mutation.

Cerberus has been sought that he had more then fifty or a hundred heads but it is shown with three heads and mane full of various snakes claws like that of a lion. He is the brother of Orthros and had a tail like a serpent as well as Othros and he was to guard the Gates of Hades. He would allow the new souls that was sent down to the underworld through the gates but he was not to let the damned souls out of the gate. He had been tricked before and was put to sleep by Orpheus playing the lyre. A few did sneak past the three headed dog only to be brought back by some other means. One Hercules 12th labor he was to bring Cerberus to the living. He went and asked Hades if he could borrow Cerberus and Hades said of course but under one condition you must defeat Cerberus using nothing but your fists. After hours of fighting between them Hercules managed to get the upper hand of Cerberus and was able to take him to the land of the living.

It is said that each of Cerberus three heads re presents ways of life as in the past the present and the future to come.

The Greek name is KerberoV and means Death-Demon of the Dark we are not 100% sure that this is the correct meaning but that is what we have for now.

So he was never killed and still today guards the entrance of the under world and the Greeks knew that some day when they passed to the other side that they would have to meet up with Cerberus unless they went to the Elysian fields.

Both of these creatures were defeated by the great Hercules during his 12 labors. Orthros lost his life while the other one just got whipped.