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| | '''Cerberus''' is a monster from [[Greek]] and [[Roman]] [[mythology]]. He takes the form of a ferocious, many-headed [[dog]]; the number of heads varies between accounts but is usually three. Cerberus guarded the entrance to [[Hades]], the realm of the dead. The final labor of [[Hercules]] was to bring Cerberus to the surface.<ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hercules.html]</ref> Cerberus is told to be the offspring of Ekhidna and Typhoeus.<ref>http://www.theoi.com/Ther/KuonKerberos.html</ref> | | '''Cerberus''' is a monster from [[Greek]] and [[Roman]] [[mythology]]. He takes the form of a ferocious, many-headed [[dog]]; the number of heads varies between accounts but is usually three. Cerberus guarded the entrance to [[Hades]], the realm of the dead. The final labor of [[Hercules]] was to bring Cerberus to the surface.<ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hercules.html]</ref> Cerberus is told to be the offspring of Ekhidna and Typhoeus.<ref>http://www.theoi.com/Ther/KuonKerberos.html</ref> |
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| − | Other mythologies also feature creatures similar to Cerberus. For example, in [[Norse]] mythology, Hell is guarded by a four-eyed dog named Garm<ref>http://lowchensaustralia.com/names/dognames.htm</ref>. | + | Other mythologies also feature creatures similar to Cerberus. For example, in [[Norse]] mythology, Hell is guarded by a four-eyed dog named Garm.<ref>http://lowchensaustralia.com/names/dognames.htm</ref> |
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| | Cerberus appears in [[Dante's Inferno]], guarding the third circle of [[Hell]] rather than the entire underworld. This is the circle of [[gluttony]], and Cerberus is used to personify uncontrolled appetite. | | Cerberus appears in [[Dante's Inferno]], guarding the third circle of [[Hell]] rather than the entire underworld. This is the circle of [[gluttony]], and Cerberus is used to personify uncontrolled appetite. |
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| | Cerberus is described as having a mane of serpents along its back and necks and possessing a serpentine tail. Cerberus is originally described as possessing fifty heads, but this changed to only three; perhaps the first relation takes the heads of the snakes into account.<ref>http://www.theoi.com/Ther/KuonKerberos.html</ref> | | Cerberus is described as having a mane of serpents along its back and necks and possessing a serpentine tail. Cerberus is originally described as possessing fifty heads, but this changed to only three; perhaps the first relation takes the heads of the snakes into account.<ref>http://www.theoi.com/Ther/KuonKerberos.html</ref> |
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| − | Fluffy, the giant three-headed dog mentioned in ''[[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'', resembles Cerberus. Both Fluffy and Cerberus are lulled to sleep by music. <ref>[http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cerberus Cerberus], NationMaster.com, Accessed October 30, 2008</ref> | + | Fluffy, the giant three-headed dog mentioned in ''[[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'', resembles Cerberus. Both Fluffy and Cerberus are lulled to sleep by music.<ref>[http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cerberus Cerberus], NationMaster.com, Accessed October 30, 2008</ref> |
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| | == References == | | == References == |