Thoth

Origin: Egyptian mythology

Thoth could be considered one of the most important gods in the Egyptian pantheon, representing wisdom and divine intellect. He has numerous forms which conveys a different aspect of his being.

As the scribe of all gods, he is credited with authorship of science, religion, philosophy and knowledge. One of his forms, a man with the head of a bird, he is the lord of time who measures the days and seasons. He is believed to have invented the calendar, and without his words the gods themselves would not exist.

Khnum

Origin: Egyptian mythology

He is often depicted with the head of a ram. The wave-like pattern of the ram’s horns resemble the waters of the Nile, which he was believed to be the source of. One horn feeds water to the North; the other to the South. Sometimes he is shown holding a jar that spills the Nile’s water.

Khnum’s job is to assist Hapi in making sure the right amount of silt is released into the water. From the dirt and silt he forms the bodies and souls of children, placing them into a mother’s womb.

Neith

Origin: Egyptian mythology

Type: creation goddess

Neith has several manifestations, and is related to the goddess Isis. Sobek, the crocodile god, is her son. It is also said that when she spat into the water, the serpent demon Apophis was born.

As the goddess of the hunt, she either wears or holds a set of crossed arrows. In the annual Festival of the Lamps, she wears the shuttle of a loom on her head, carries the ankh, and weaves mummy clothes for the dead.

Semele

Origin: Greek mythology

Once while slaughtering a bull at a sacred altar, Zeus spies on Semele in the form of an eagle and falls desperately in love. He transforms himself into a mortal man, wooing her.

After finding out about the affair, Hera befriends Semele, who tells her of Zeus’ identity. Pretending to be unconvinced, Hera plants a seed of doubt in her. Later, Semele convinces Zeus to reveal his true form. Extremely reluctant but eager to please her, Zeus reveals his true self, but his thunderbolts incinerate his lover.

Zeus managed to save their unborn child, however. The god had sewn the baby into his thigh until he was ready to be born. The child was Dionysus, who would eventually bring his mother back from the Underworld, where she will become a goddess on Mount Olympus under a new name, Thyone.

Ceryneian Hind

Origin: Greek mythology

Type: deer

This huge deer is larger than a bul, fast enough to outrun an arrow, and has bronze hooves and golden antlers. Sacred to Artemis, it is named for Mount Cerynea.

In one version, Hercules is tasked to capture the animal for the king. He lames the Ceryneian when it stopped for a drink, using a poisoned arrow. After completing his mission Hercules releases it, so that it may return to Artemis.

Eurymanthian Boar

Origin: Greek mythology

Type: boar

Resides In: Mount Eurymanthus

It is a giant, wild boar that roams an area sacred to the goddess, Artemis. It is described as having razor sharp tusks.

Ordered to bring it back alive, Hercules sets out to capture the boar. Along the way, he is entertained by Centaurs. They become intoxicated, forcing Hercules to shoot them down. Only the immortal Centaur Chiron, survives, and he advises the hero to drive the boar into the mountains to subdue it. Once the task is complete, Hercules brings the boar to the king, who is so terrified that he had the boar placed in a jar.

Cerberus

Origin: Greek mythology

Type: mythical hound

Resides In: the Underworld

erberus is a multi-headed (usually three headed) dog that guards the gates to the Underworld. Depending on the author, each head represented the past, present and future. It is also said that Cerberus has an appetite for live meat only, employed to be Hade’s loyal watch dog.

In Heracles’ trials, he must defeat Cerberus with his bare hands. He succeeded, and brought the beast to Eurystheus.