Abyzou is a female demon from Near Eastern and European folklore, infamous for causing miscarriages and infant mortality. Depicted with fish- or serpent-like attributes, she embodies ancient fears surrounding childbirth. Recognised in Coptic Egyptian and Byzantine traditions, her many names reflect a syncretic demonology spanning antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.

Abyzou

The Achlis is an unusual, elk-like creature from Roman mythology noted for its oversized upper lip and jointless hind legs. It grazes backwards to avoid its lip obstructing its mouth. Its peculiarity makes it vulnerable, as it struggles to rise quickly from its resting position.

Achlis

Amethyste is a mythological nymph from Greek lore, renowned for her unique transformation into the amethyst gemstone. The goddess Artemis (also known as Diana) transformed her to save her from the unwanted advances of Dionysus. Although widely circulated in later accounts, the tale is not attested in any ancient sources.

Amethyste

Angels are celestial, non-corporeal beings that serve as divine messengers and guardians. They are typically depicted as radiant, humanoid figures with bird-like wings and a luminous aura. Rooted in Abrahamic traditions, angels bridge the gap between the divine and the mortal realms.

Angel

Angitia is an ancient goddess of healing and magic, worshipped by the Marsi, Paeligni, and other Oscan-Umbrian peoples of central Italy. She is revered for her ability to cure snakebites and her mastery over snake-charming rituals, which link her to a legacy of magical healing. Her enduring cult, evidenced by sacred groves and inscriptions, attests to her significant role in ancient healing traditions.

Angitia

Anguipeds are divine entities characterized by their unusual composite form, most notably having serpents for legs. In common depictions, especially as Abraxas, they feature a rooster head combined with snake-like limbs. These figures are central to Greco-Roman magical amulets and syncretic cult practices blending pagan and Judaic elements.

Anguiped

Apulu is the Etruscan epithet of a fire god embodying the powers of the sun, light, thunder, and healing. He is revered as a chthonic sky god with volcanic and infernal characteristics, offering both protection in divination and the capacity to unleash destructive forces. Reflecting a syncretism of Etruscan and Greco-Roman attributes, Apulu stands as a multifaceted deity in ancient mythology.

Apulu

Arduinna is the tutelary goddess of the Ardennes Forest, celebrated as a huntress who rides a boar. Originating from Gallo-Roman religion, she embodies the spirit of the wild and protects the natural landscape. Identified with the Roman goddess Diana, her cult flourished in regions of modern-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.

Arduinna

Artahe is an ancient goddess worshiped in Southern Gaul, known for her role as a tutelary deity and her association with bears. Inscriptions from the Gallo-Roman era attest to her veneration in regions such as Aquitania. She is revered as a protector and guide, embodying the fusion of Celtic and Roman religious traditions.

Artahe

Astrild is a Nordic literary figure derived from the Roman god Cupid, symbolising love and desire. Inspired by the writings of 17th-century Swedish poet Georg Stiernhielm, Astrild became popular in Nordic poetry during the Baroque and Rococo eras. Despite his Old Norse name meaning 'Love-fire', he does not appear in traditional Norse mythology.

Astrild

Athena is the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft. She is revered as the patron and protectress of Athens, symbolised by the owl and olive tree. Known for her strategic acumen and martial prowess, she embodies the virtues of intellectual insight and practical strength.

Athena

The basilisk is a legendary European serpent renowned for its fatal gaze and venomous bite. Originating from ancient and medieval bestiaries, it is a small yet extraordinarily dangerous creature. Its unique vulnerability to the odor of a weasel adds a curious twist to its otherwise lethal attributes.

Basilisk

La Befana is a witch-like old woman from Italian folklore who visits children on Epiphany Eve to deliver gifts and coal. She travels through the night on her broomstick, entering homes via chimneys and leaving a trail of soot. Her dual role of rewarding the well-behaved and punishing the misbehaved makes her a uniquely endearing yet enigmatic figure.

Befana

Bifrons is a demon earl from Western demonological grimoires known for his dual, shape-shifting nature. He initially appears as a monstrous entity before adopting a human form. He is famed for teaching occult arts, manipulating graveyards, and commanding legions of spirits.

Bifrons (demon)

Borda is a legendary witch from the Po Valley in Italy known for her blindfolded and terrifying appearance. She appears on foggy nights and in marshy areas, striking fear into all who encounter her. Employed by adults as a cautionary tale to keep children away from dangerous wetlands, her curse is deadly and unforgiving.

Borda (legendary creature)

Caca, also known as Cacia, is an ancient Roman goddess and giantess celebrated as a proto-Vesta. Betraying her brother Cacus by revealing the location of stolen cattle to Hercules, she secured her divine status. Venerated through a dedicated shrine in Rome, she embodies the fiery and transformative power of ancient Roman worship.

Caca (mythology)

Cacus was a fire-breathing giant in Greek and Roman mythology. He terrorised the Aventine Hill before Rome's founding. His reign ended when Hercules defeated and killed him.

Cacus

The Caladrius is a fabled, snow-white bird from Roman mythology known for its unique healing powers. It is reputed to absorb sickness and then dispel it through flight, healing both itself and the sick. Celebrated in medieval bestiaries, it symbolizes purity, hope, and divine healing.

Caladrius

Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, are famed twin brothers in Greek and Roman mythology. With Castor being mortal and Pollux divine, they share an unbreakable bond that defies the boundaries of life and death. Their transformation into the Gemini constellation and patronage over sailors and horsemanship have cemented their legacy in the mythic cosmos.

Castor and Pollux

Ceres is the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the nurturing force of nature. She was central to Roman religious life as a guardian of grain and harvest, celebrated through festivals like Cerealia. Recognised as the Roman counterpart of Demeter, Ceres embodies both maternal care and the cyclical rhythms of growth.

Roman Creatures

All Roman Creatures