The Short Life of 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 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 the great Greek hero 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 is where I had invited visitors to join in. Some also felt like Orthros deserved a better story. So I asked them to write an Orthros myth of their own.
Vistors' Stories
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Orthros the Devourer
The son of Typhon and Equidna, Othros was a monstrously sized giant dog who was known to swallow the moon and sun but when he ate one he spit out the other. …
Orthros Kills Hercules
On a hot summer day, a white Husky pup with 3 heads was born. When Orthros grew up, he was big and powerful, his older brother, Cerberus was now Hades's …
The Real Story of Orthos
many people think orthos a 2 headed dog was killed by hercules. no actully he was the pet of phersophone wive of hades. you see if hades had cerburus his …
Guardian
He waited, staring in the deep darkness alongside his brother, Cerberus. Their red eyes shone like headlights as they tried to find their friend, their …
Orthros Returns
When Hercules killed Orthros, he expected that he would never have to see the likes of him ever again. But despite all the odds, Orthros returned when …
Orthros
Orthros looked out over his field of large, magnificent red cattle. To him, this place was already his. The king had no possession over this island.
…
The Dog Who Could
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
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
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
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 …
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 …
Orthos and Cerberus
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
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 …
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. …
Return from facts about Orthros to the List of Mythical Creatures.
