Where does one draw the line between mythical creatures on the one hand, and minor deities and demi-gods like nymphs and satyrs and fauns on the other hand? Or deities and personifications like Nike and Constantinopolis who are basically human in form but have wings? Where does Pan/Bacchus/Liber fit in?
..hehe...good question...i'd reckon they all qualify ifn they have some vestige of non real human or living critter traits...i.e. wings, hoofs, etc... or even a magic(supernatual) power. (that they normally wouldn't have)
Good question. Intuitively speaking, I'd say a mythical creature only counts as a mythical creature if it appears in this book: But simply in order to not slavishly rely on the authority of Mrs. Rowling, I would propose to accept any creature that has (dominant) animal features, does not exist in the real world, and is mentioned in ancient or medieval mythology and folklore. Also, your griffin denarius posted above is symply fantastic, @DonnaML!
I was originally thinking creatures like more animal-like but I suppose @ominus1’s definition fits the bill.
The Sphinx: Antoninus Pius Provincial Egypt Bronze Drachm - Sphinx Obverse: Laureate head left, "AYT K T AIL ADP ANTWNINOC CEB EYC" Reverse: Sphinx seated right, wings raised, left forepaw on wheel, "L IZ" (year 17) Catalog: Milne 2249 Diameter: 33mm Weight: 19.6gm Struck Alexandria, Egypt AD 153-154
I'm actually sort of surprised that it took that long for hippocampus to be posted. Here's mine: And here's a capricorn for good measure: Philip II, 247-249 AD AE29, Commagene, Zeugma Obverse: AVTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Reverse: ZЄYΓM-ATЄΩN, Tetrastyle temple, draped figure within, atop peribolos containing grove of trees; in exergue, capricorn to left. References: BMC 35, SNG Copenhagen 35 Size: 29mm, 15.8g
Maybe... and maybe later this week I'll have time to catch up with this and other threads . I started a new job last week... a very different direction in my career... and it's taking most of my focus. Looks like it may be enjoyable though and I work from home!!
Skylla... head and torso of a female human, lower body of three dog foreparts, and two fishy tails! ROMAN IMPERATORS. Sextus Pompey AR Denarius. 3.76g, 18.9mm. Sicily, 40-39 BC. Crawford 511/4; Sydenham 1348; Sear, Imperators 335. O: The Pharos of Messana surmounted by a statue of Neptune; in foreground, galley left adorned with legionary eagle, sceptre and trident; MAG PIVS IMP ITER around. R: Scylla left, wielding a rudder in both hands; PRÆF CLAS ET ORÆ MARIT EX SC around. Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, privately purchased from John Jencek, 2011 Hydra... monstrous multi-headed serpent GETA AE27. 11.72g, 27.6mm. THRACE, Hadrianopolis, circa AD 209-211. Varbanov 3684. O: AVT K Π CEΠTMIOC ΓETAC, laureate, draped bust right. R: AΔPIANOΠOΛITΩN, Herakles standing left with raised club, preparing to open a can of whoopass on the Lernean Hydra. Ichthyocentaur... human upper body, lower body of a horse, and the tail of a fish PLAUTILLA AE Assarion. 3.68g, 19.4mm. BITHYNIA, Nicomedia, circa AD 202-205. RG 253 (same obv. die); Lindgren & Kovacs 172 (same obv. die). O: ΦOY ΠΛAYTIΛΛA CEBA-CTH, draped bust right. R: NIKOMHΔEΩN - ΔIC NEΩKO/PΩN (second neocorate), (Female?) Ichthyocentaur, diademed, nude, with forefeet of horse and serpentine-shaped fishtail, riding left over waves, holding rudder over left shoulder and in extended right hand unknown object (dolphin?). Criocamp... half-ram, half-serpentine fish monster GALLIENUS AE Antoninianus. 3.35g, 22.1mm. Rome mint, 8th officina, 10th issue, AD 267-268. 'Zoo' series. MIR 36, 741b; RIC V (sole reign) 242; Wolkow 21a8 (R); Cunetio 1389. O: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right. R: MERCVRIO CONS AVG, Criocamp to right; H in exergue. Ex N. M. McQ. Holmes Collection; ex Rauch Sommerauktion 2010 (13 September 2010), lot 1208