Orthros

Orthrus, also known as Orthus, is a figure in Greek mythology described as a two-headed dog. He is commonly listed as a child of Echidna and Typhon, making him a sibling to other monsters such as Cerberus and the Hydra. In most accounts, Orthrus guarded the cattle of the giant Geryon on the island of Erytheia.

During Heracles’ tenth labor, the hero traveled to Erytheia to obtain Geryon’s cattle. Orthrus guarded the herd, and Heracles killed the two-headed dog to proceed with the task. He then confronted Geryon and ultimately claimed the cattle as the reward for completing the labor.

Orthrus is typically treated as a minor figure within Greek myth, best known for his two heads and role as a guardian. He is distinct from Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the Underworld, though later writers sometimes conflate the two or use Orthrus as a general reference to a two-headed dog.

In ancient art and later mythographies, Orthrus appears infrequently, serving mainly as part of the broader tradition concerning Echidna and Typhon’s progeny and the episodes surrounding Heracles’ heroic feats. The myth reflects common themes in Greek storytelling, such as monsters guarding treasure and heroes overcoming formidable guardians to achieve their goals.