Monsters of Greco-Roman myth To have a hero, you need a monster to defeat. Monsters in Greco-Roman mythology are often described as: irrational, almost impossible to communicate with, often a composite of animal parts or a form of mutation, and aimed at human destruction. “In mythological language, monsters were beings of unnatural proportions or parts, generally regarded with terror, as possessing immense strength and ferocity, which they used to harm and annoy men” (Bouvreuil, page 143) . Mythological monsters are a way for man to explain what he does not understand. They attempt to explain the "why" behind phenomena such as: storms, droughts and other unusual weather conditions, unexplained deaths, birth defects, illnesses and mental illnesses. Generally, these are associated with fear, and nothing is scarier than a monster. But on the other hand, there is hope. Man's need to maintain hope gives rise to the creation of heroes. Monsters are essential to the existence of heroes. “[…] the mythical monster is present in many forms – Gorgons, Hydras and terrible Chimeras – but they are there only to give the hero his reward of glory” (Hamilton 12). Without a great enemy, the common good is not necessary. “Myth provides us with absolutes in place of ephemeral values ​​and a comforting perception of the world which is necessary to make the insecurity and terror of existence bearable” (Morford 4). It was common for cultures that subverted others to convert important values. divinities of those they vanquished into monstrous figures. Monsters from Greco-Roman mythology tend to resemble Egyptian, Sumerian, Babylonian, and other ancient Eastern deities. “The Greco-Roman monsters are like the Babylonians... middle of paper... wind” (Hamilton 185) to defeat another evil monster, the Chimera. Unlike malevolent monsters which are composed of creatures, they are in themselves dangerous to humans (i.e. lions, snakes, wolves, rams, birds of prey). The centaurs and Pegasus are the noble steeds of man. Works CitedBooks:Books by a single author:Bullfinch, Thomas. Myths of Greece and RomeNew York: Penguin Books, 1979. Print.Hamilton, Edith. MythologyNew York: Little, Brown and Company, 1942. Print.Rosenberg, Donna. World Mythology Lincoln Wood, IL: NTC Publishing Group, 1999. Print. Morford, Mark. PO and Robert J. Lenardon. Classical MythologyNew York: Oxford University Press, Inc. 2003. Print.Hesiod. Works and Days of TheogonyTranslated by Stanley Lambardo. Quote from Robert Lamberton Introduction. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1993. Print.