Greek Mythology Creatures Coloring Pages and Free Printables

In Ancient Greece, the citizens had their hands full! Not only did they have to contend with the daily squabbles of Zeus and his gods, but they were also besieged with hideous monsters from both land and deep, monsters that could turn them to stone with a mere glance or leave their entrails hanging out after a gruesome goring.

Luckily, a few Ancient Greek heroes endowed with superhuman strength took up arms and slew these horrible creatures into extinction. However, while their presence no longer abides, their legacy continues to haunt us; tales of their horrible nature and cruel deeds still circulate in modern times.

The Siren was a cross between a bird and a woman. They usually came together in groups and inhabited a rocky coastal island. Perched upon the crags, the Sirens lured sailors who were unfortunate enough to venture near their territory towards the rocks with an irresistible song, causing their vessels to shipwreck. Unlike other Greek monsters, the Siren was incredibly seductive and alluring, possessing the body of a beautiful woman as well as an irresistible voice that would cause men to fling themselves into the sea in a wild passion, hoping to join the Sirens on their island. Unfortunately, the sailors would either drown in the roaring waves, or if they were successful in reaching the island, would eventually starve to death in a blissful stupor as they continued to indulge in the Sirens' presence, oblivious to anything else including hunger. Later depictions added a more gruesome detail as the Sirens not only caused sailors to devolve into abandon but also eat the poor fools as well. The Sirens met their end when Odysseus, the cleverest of the Greeks, ordered his men to tie him to the mast of his ship so he can hear the Sirens' song but not die in the process. When the Sirens called, Odysseus found himself beset with a frenzied longing to join the maidens on their island but could not do so because of the ropes restraining him. Once his shipped passed from earshot, the Sirens threw themselves into the depths of the sea, having been destined to die in the event that a mortal man should hear their song and live to tell about it.

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