The Short Life of Orthros

Orthros

Orthros (Greek mythology) was a two-headed dog born to Greek mythology's most infamous monster parents Typhon and Echidna.

Mythology tells us extremely little about this potentially fascinating beast whose sole purpose in myth seemed to be getting unceremoniously slain by the jerk/hero Hercules.

To be specific, which I can because the story is so short, Orthros was essentially the cattle dog for Geryon, the three-bodied giant who was king of Erytheia, the sunset isle. Orthros worked beside a cattle herder named Eurytion and together they watched over Geryon's herd of magnificent red cattle.

Not a bad life for a monster, really. Maybe a little too cushy.

One day Hercules comes by to swipe the cattle and clubs Orthros in the head. Everyone dies. Hercules wins.

Sadly, there isn't much more to say than that. The dog just can't have his day. He was a two-headed monster dog, which would be impressive, except his brother is Cerberus, the three-headed monster dog. I mean, seriously, the guy can't win.

Well I don't think it's fair. His brothers and sisters, mother and father all get their moment as famous Greek monsters. Why not Orthros?

This, my friend, is where I invite you to join in. I've never done this before, but I can't help feel like Orthros deserves a better story. And I want you to write it.

Don't Let Orthros Die In Vain!

Calling all writers!

The original myth of Orthros is incredibly weak. For a child of Typhon and Echidna, he needs to leave behind a better legacy than that. Contribute a new myth here and I'll post it on this site.

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Other Vistors' Stories

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Orthros the Misunderstood
I think he was simply a misunderstood creation to this world treated like a monster by all and never shown any kindness by the world of historians and ...

GREATER STORY FOR ORTHROS
Well, Orthros was a loyal dog! I think he might've even been too loyal! One night, while Twerbiji, his master, was sleeping Orthros went out to seek Hercules....

The Dog Who Could Not rated yet
So Orthros being a two headed dog was sitting next to his cattle when Hercules came up.

Orthros did not want to fight but Hercules made Orthros fight....

Orthros' Moment Not rated yet
Othros was the youngest sibling in the family. And since he wasn't as scary or as strong as the rest his parents gave him to Geryon the three bodied Giant....

Orthros as the youngest among all his brothers and sisters Not rated yet
As the youngest child of Typhon and Echidna he needs to be protected...As the years went by he grew up to be as a cattle dog for the three-bodied giant,...

Seen It In A Dream Not rated yet
I don't remember much, but I've seen it in a dream I had, just like many other strange hounds. It wasn't anywhere in a Greek background, it was at my high ...

Orthos and Cerberus Not rated yet
Ok, so Orthros was feeling pretty useless (I mean, who wouldn't if your brother was more famous than you and all he'd done was grow one more head!?) and ...

The Dog Not rated yet
He was a strange hound. He had four eyes, without glass lenses. He sat upon the foothill silently. Suddenly his right head's scarlet eye open. With a yelp ...

Return from Orthros to the List of Mythical Creatures.

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