What it the most terrible monster from mythology?

Question

What in your enlightened opinion is the worse creature ever invented or named in a mythology. It doesn’t matter what cycle or culture, as long as it is not the cheesy answer of "Satan". I am looking for serious answers like Timat or Cerberus or the chimera or the Ice Giants or Chanda from Hindu myths or the grendel or Cthulhu or the Kraken.

Answer 1

I'd have to go with the basilisk. Here's a description:

In European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk (from the Greek βάσιλισκός basiliskos, a little king, in Latin Regulus) is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power of causing death by a single glance. According to the Naturalis Historia of Pliny the Elder, the basilisk is a small snake that is so venomous that it leaves a wide trail of deadly venom in its wake, and its gaze is likewise lethal.

There are three descriptions to the image of the basilisk: a huge lizard, a giant snake or a three-foot high cockerel with a snake's tail and teeth, all of which are shared with the cockatrice. It is called "king" because it is reputed to have on its head a mitre- or crown-shaped crest. Stories of the basilisk place it in the same general family as the cockatrice. The basilisk is fabulously alleged to be hatched by a cockerel from the egg of a serpent (the reverse of the cockatrice, which was hatched from a hen's egg incubated by a serpent's nest). In Medieval Europe, the description of the creature began taking on features from cockerels. Geoffrey Chaucer featured a basilicok (as he called it) in his Canterbury Tales. According to some legends, basilisks can be killed by hearing the crow of a rooster or gazing at itself through a mirror.

Stories gradually added to the basilisk's deadly capabilities, such as describing it as a larger beast, capable of breathing fire and killing with the sound of its voice. Some writers even claimed that it could kill not only by touch, but also by touching something that is touching the victim, like a sword held in their hand. Also, some stories claim their breath is highly toxic and will cause death, usually, immediately. The Basilisk is also the guardian creature of the Swiss city Basel.

Answer 2

fenrir, from norse mythology. Come on, a wolf that is supposed to devour a god.


Fenrir (or Fenris) is a gigantic and terrible monster in the shape of a wolf. He is the eldest child of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. The gods learned of a prophecy which stated that the wolf and his family would one day be responsible for the destruction of the world. They caught the wolf and locked him in a cage. Only the god of war, Tyr, dared to feed and take care of the wolf.
When he was still a pup they had nothing to fear, but when the gods saw one day how he had grown, they decided to render him harmless. However, none of the gods had enough courage to face the gigantic wolf. Instead, they tried to trick him. They said the wolf was weak and could never break free when he was chained. Fenrir accepted the challenge and let the gods chain him. Unfortunately, he was so immensely strong that he managed to break the strongest fetters as if they were cobwebs.

After that, the gods saw only one alternative left: a magic chain. They ordered the dwarves to make something so strong that it could hold the wolf. The result was a soft, thin ribbon: Gleipnir. It was incredibly strong, despite what its size and appearance might suggest. The ribbon was fashioned of six strange elements: the footstep of a cat; the roots of a mountain; a woman's beard; the breath of fishes; the sinews of a bear; and a bird's spittle.

The gods tried to trick the wolf again, only this time Fenrir was less eager to show his strength. He saw how thin the chain was, and said that was no pride in breaking such a weak chain. Eventually, though, he agreed, thinking that otherwise his strength and courage would be doubted. Suspecting treachery however, he in turn asked the gods for a token of good will: one of them had to put a hand between his jaws. The gods were not overly eager to do this, knowing what they could expect. Finally, only Tyr agreed, and the gods chained the wolf with Gleipnir. No matter how hard Fenrir struggled, he could not break free from this thin ribbon. In revenge, he bit off Tyr's hand.

Being very pleased with themselves, the gods carried Fenrir off and chained him to a rock (called Gioll) a mile down into the earth. They put a sword between his jaws to prevent him from biting. On the day of Ragnarok, Fenrir will break his chains and join the giants in their battle against the gods. He will seek out Odin and devour him. Vidar, Odin's son, will avenge his father by killing the wolf.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer 3

Honestly, I don't see any of those things you mentioned as being terribly um ... terrible. Really, I think the Christian God is pretty terrible. He caused more destruction in the old testament than any of those other critters combined. What is a monster anyway? Cerberus hung out in the underworld, didn't bother you unless you bothered him. Kraken stayed in the ocean. etc. The Christian God ran around all over the place giving orders, killing first born sons, causing plagues, tearing down walls, turning people into salt, encouraging war, bloodshed, violence in general. Really terrible stuff.

Answer 4

Medusa (Greek mythology), not only she had snakes for hair, she could also turn you into stone. Another that comes close as a terrible monster, Is the goddess Kali (Hindu myths). The goddess of Death. Oddly enough Kali is considered a great protector and kind in India

Answer 5

The Succubus

or

The Incubus

Answer 6

Nice answer of Satan Dr. Feelgood, next time read the question. But rly...try Cerberus, 3-headed dog of the underworld? OUCH!

Answer 7

Scylla - a important sea goddess. Ketea - monsters of the sea. 2 were killed by employing Perseus Lamia - Demon and sea-monster. Charybdis - Sea monster. Daughter of Poseidon and Gaia

Answer 8

The worse creature ever invented, named, born or spawn in a mythology is Ratri.
The worse one in real life is, of course, Dart Vader.

Answer 9

The Manticore

Answer 10

I don't know if you would qualify a Siren as a monster. A Siren is supposedly a beautiful maiden who lures hapless sailors to their death by singing. The sailors, unable to do anything but adore the Siren would crash upon rocks or something else.