Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Sept 7, 2022 2:53:30 GMT -5
That makes a great story, though it is probably not true. Here is one article (one opinion) arguing that it is not.
No, Cerberus’s Name Does Not Mean “Spot”
Here is an online dictionary that has it as spotted Cerberus
Here is another opinion SPOT THE DOG
KERBEROS
The legend of Cerberus. Cerberus guarded the realm of the underworld, ruled by Hades and his wife, Persephone. What Cerberus looked like depends on whom you ask; Hesiod claims that Cerberus has fifty heads, while Apollodorus describes him as a strange mixture of creatures with three dog-shaped heads, a serpent as a tail, and heads of snakes over his back. Cerberus is most often pictured as a creature with three heads. Either way, Cerberus was a vicious creature that few dared to challenge.
The Greeks believed that when a person dies, his soul is sent to Hades to spend eternity. While all souls were sent to Hades, those people who had led a good life would be spared the eternal punishment that those who had not would have to endure. Cerberus, as the gatekeeper to Hades, ensured that only the souls of the dead entered Hades, and he ensured that souls could not escape once inside.
As the gatekeeper to Hades, Cerberus authenticated those who attempted to enter (to determine whether they were dead or alive) and used that authentication to determine whether to allow access or not.
The Greeks believed that when a person dies, his soul is sent to Hades to spend eternity. While all souls were sent to Hades, those people who had led a good life would be spared the eternal punishment that those who had not would have to endure. Cerberus, as the gatekeeper to Hades, ensured that only the souls of the dead entered Hades, and he ensured that souls could not escape once inside.
As the gatekeeper to Hades, Cerberus authenticated those who attempted to enter (to determine whether they were dead or alive) and used that authentication to determine whether to allow access or not.
New Cerberus Folder.pdf
