Tales of gods, heroes, and monsters are some of the oldest known to humanity. While some creatures are inspiring, others can be downright horrifying. From Greece to China, the Americas to Africa, there are countless examples of mythological beasts that get their kicks making life absolutely terrifying for the human race. Whether you’ve heard of these unsettling and imaginative monsters before or you’re totally new to the world of mythology, check out these bizarre beings.
Aqrabuamelu
According to the religious texts of ancient Babylon, the primordial sea goddess Tiamat birthed many gods and goddesses. She also, however, created the aqrabuamelu. These were mythological beasts that had the upper torso, arms, and head of a man. From the abdomen down, the aqrabuamelu had the body, legs, and tail of a scorpion. Fittingly called “the scorpion men,” these twisted abominations were referenced in “The Epic of Gilgamesh” as being the guardians of the sun god Shamash. The scorpion men open and close gates for Shamash and also cause death to all they look at.
The aqrabuamelu have been depicted in art many times, typically in grotesque and terrifying ways. Since the gaze of the scorpion men meant death, they are often shown without eyes, as none would be able to see the eyes and live.
Erymanthian Boar
Fans of “Game of Thrones” know that a boar is a far more formidable beast than many assume. Still, few modern pigs could live up to the reputation of the Erymanthian boar from Greek mythology. Said to be a tameless beast of vast weight, the boar is usually shown as having a dozen or so tusks and horns protruding from its head. According to Arcadian legend, the boar would gore anyone who happened to wander into its territory, making it a mythological beast truly feared by locals.
Additional myths have the hero Hercules bringing the living Erymanthian boar to King Eurystheus in Mycenae. This was one of Hercules’ Twelve Labors and has been a popular topic of art for centuries.
Adlet
In many cases, mythology persists as an account of history or the ramifications of a particular event. The mythological Adlet spoken of by the Inuit tribe of Greenland is a perfect example of this. The Adlet is said to be a dog-like creature with the legs of a hound and the body of a man. Stories of the Adlet usually have it involved in a competition with humans and almost always losing said competition. Still, later depictions would show the Adlet as a more ferocious beast that could embody the nature of wild dogs.
The interesting connection historians make with the Adlet is that references to this creature mark the first time Inuit stories include references to white men from Europe. Scholars believe these myths emerged around the same time, as the stories say the Adlet were larger than Innuit and white men alike.
Nuckelavee
Most people are familiar with the horse-man combination that is the centaur. Over in Scotland, Orcadian myth tells of a similar creature with a bit of a horrifying twist. The nuckelavee is essentially a centaur… without skin. These mythological beasts are not the noble, sentient beings peppered through Greek mythology either. The nuckelavee is akin to a demon and was said to have foul breath that could wilt crops and cause major disasters like droughts and plagues. Though tales vary, one old text states the nuckelavee can’t be near freshwater sources. Crossing a river, therefore, saved your life.
From scorpion men to skinless centaurs, the people of the world have told some outright weird stories about monsters and creatures of the night. Examining these stories can highlight that which ancient man feared most about the unknown and the heights that humanity’s imagination can soar.