As the legend goes, the griffin builds its nest, and lays agates instead of eggs. It was mentioned in Pliny’s Natural History as gold-guarding creatures. Later, the mythological creature was elaborated in the archaic poem Arimaspea by a semi-legendary Greek poet, Aristeas of Proconnesus.
It’s possible that the relics found around the Mediterranean area led to the myths of griffins. Myths of the Griffin in Different CulturesĪccording to The First Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times, many of the ancient myths and folklore were a representation of the fossil remains of actual animals. The legendary creature was also regarded as a protector from evil and witchcraft. During the Achaemenid Empire in Persia, depictions of the griffin, known as the shirdal (meaning lion-eagle in Persian), can be found in palaces and other places of interest. Some historians believe that the griffin may have originated in Persia since griffin-like creatures occurs frequently in ancient Persian architectural monuments and art. Griffins are sometimes depicted pulling the chariot of the pharaohs and played a role in depictions of several figures including Axex. In Predynastic art, it is featured attacking its prey, and was also featured as a mythical beast in paintings. The Egyptian griffin is described as having the head of a falcon, with or without wings-and is depicted as a hunter. In the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, it was believed to be a representation of pharaoh when it was found inscribed on the pectoral of Sesostris III and on ivory knives as an apotropaic creature. In any case, evidence of the griffin has been found in both regions, tracing back to around 3000 BC.Īccording to An Aegean Griffin In Egypt: The Hunt Frieze At Tell El-Dab’a, a griffin-like creature was found on a palette from Hierakonpolis, Egypt, and was dated to before 3100 B.C. It’s difficult to say whether the griffin originated in Egypt or Persia. Also spelled as griffon or gryphon, the mythological creature was seen as a guardian of treasures and priceless possessions. to 1001 B.C.E and became known in every part of Western Asia and Greece by the 14th century B.C.E. It was popular in the region around 2000 B.C.E. Most historians point to the Levant, the region around the Aegean Sea, as the place of origin of the griffin.
0 kommentar(er)
