Cerberus Facts for Kids – 5 Spectacular Facts about Cerberus

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Updated on: Educator Review By: Michelle Connolly

A dog with three head would be really scary! Let’s discover five spectacular Cerberus facts for kids.

Cerberus Facts for Kids Fact Number 1: Three-headed Dog

Cerberus is a mythical creature from Greek mythology. It is a three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld, the realm of the dead. It was the duty of Cerberus to prevent the souls of the dead from leaving the underworld and returning to the land of the living.

In Greek mythology, Cerberus was not only a fierce guardian of the underworld, but also had a specific role in the afterlife. It was said that when a soul entered the underworld, it had to pass by Cerberus, who would test the soul’s guilt or innocence. Those who were guilty would be devoured by the dog, while the innocent would be allowed to pass and continue on to the afterlife.

Cerberus Facts for Kids

Cerberus Facts for Kids Fact Number 2: Echidna and Typhon

According to the legend, Cerberus was the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon. It has three heads, a serpent tail, and snakes growing out of its back. This combination of features makes Cerberus one of the most terrifying creatures in Greek mythology. Cerberus was also closely associated with the god Hades, the ruler of the underworld. He was considered to be the loyal companion and pet of Hades, and was said to be fiercely protective of him.

Cerberus Facts for Kids Fact Number 3: Venomous Bite

In Greek mythology, Cerberus was said to be fierce and terrifying, allowing the souls of the dead to enter the underworld, but preventing them from leaving. It was said to be immune to all weapons, and the mere sight of it would strike fear in the hearts of those who saw it.

Cerberus was not only feared for its deadly gaze and venomous bite, but also for its ability to raise the dead. In some versions of the myth, it was said that Cerberus had the power to bring the dead back to life, and was even able to revive the souls that had been devoured by it, as long as they had been deemed innocent by its test.

Cerberus Facts for Kids
A girl is playing with a dog

Cerberus Facts for Kids Fact Number 4: The Hero Heracles

Cerberus was defeated by the hero Heracles, as one of his twelve labors, the hero was ordered to bring Cerberus to the surface and present it to King Eurystheus. Heracles was able to subdue the creature by using his great strength and by tricking it into falling asleep. Another hero named Orpheus, known for his musical skills, was able to tame the beast by playing his lyre and singing to it. He was able to lead Cerberus out of the underworld without violence.

Cerberus Facts for Kids Fact Number 5: The God Anubis

In addition to being a popular creature in Greek mythology, Cerberus also appears in many other cultures and traditions. In Norse mythology, it is the Garmr, a giant dog that guards the entrance to the underworld. In Egyptian mythology, the god Anubis is often depicted as a jackal-headed figure who guides the souls of the dead to the underworld. The concept of a multi-headed dog guarding the underworld is present in many cultures around the world.

Cerberus Facts for Kids
The God Anubis

We hope you enjoyed learning more things about Cerberus as much as we loved teaching you about them. Now that you know how majestic these mythical creatures are, you can move on to learn about other ones like: Elves, Unicorns, Mermaids and Pegasus.

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