Orthrus
Mythology
Orthrus, also spelled as Orthros, is a figure from ancient Greek mythology. He is typically depicted as a two-headed dog and is known for his role in the Twelfth Labour of Hercules. Orthrus is the brother of Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards the entrance to the Underworld. Both Orthrus and Cerberus are the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon.
Orthrus was the loyal pet and guard dog of the giant Geryon, who owned a herd of red cattle in the "sunset" land of Erytheia, a far-off land located on the western edge of the earth-encircling river Oceanus. Orthrus and the herdsman Eurytion were charged with guarding these cattle.
In the Labour of Hercules
Orthrus plays a significant role in the Herculean myth, specifically in the Tenth Labour. The hero was tasked with stealing the cattle from Geryon as one of his penances. Upon reaching Erytheia, no sooner had Heracles landed than he was confronted by the two-headed dog, Orthrus. With one huge club blow, Heracles killed Orthrus. Moments later, Eurytion, on seeing the dog's body, met the same fate. Heracles then successfully rustled the red cattle and took them to Eurystheus.
Depictions in Art
Orthrus is often depicted in ancient Greek vase paintings and sculptures. He is usually shown with two heads, a serpent for a tail, and the body of a dog. This is similar to the depictions of his brother Cerberus. The main difference between the two is the number of heads, with Orthrus having two and Cerberus having three. However, there are some depictions of Orthrus where he is shown with a varying number of heads. Some ancient coins from Erytheia depict a dog with two, three, or even more heads, and it is not always clear whether this dog is supposed to be Orthrus or Cerberus.
Cultural Impact
The myth of Orthrus has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. He is often mentioned in books about Greek mythology, and has appeared in various forms in modern popular culture, such as in video games and comic books. For example, Orthrus appears in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series of books by Rick Riordan. In these stories, Orthrus is portrayed as a pet to one of the villains, and is depicted as being quite friendly when not ordered to attack.