Scylla (Art by Sheppi)
Scylla was a monster that lived on one side of a narrow channel of water, opposite its counterpart and sister, Charybdis. The two sides of the strait were within an arrow's range of each other; so close that sailors attempting to avoid Charybdis would pass too close to Scylla and vice versa.
Description[]
Scylla is depicted with four eyes and six long necks equipped with grisly heads, each of which contained three rows of sharp teeth. Her body consisted of 12 tentacle-like legs and a cat's tail, while four to six dog-heads ringed her waist.
No ship that dares sail in her waters goes unscathed. Those that cling to survival whisper panicked tales of enormous black tentacles tipped with slavering hound heads ravaging whole ships to splinters with pitiless precision. Though it is her laughter, they say, that is most horrible; child-like, delighting in blood soaked murder as men are dragged into the dark abyss. Compared to Charybdis, who is a mindless beast, Scylla is merciless and consumed by hatred.
Overview[]
One legend in regards to her origins states that Scylla was the daughter of the river god Crataeis and was loved by Glaucus, but Glaucus himself was also loved by the sorceress Circe. When Glaucus goes to Circe to request a love potion that will win Scylla's affections, the enchantress herself becomes enamored with him. Meeting with no success, Circe becomes hatefully jealous of her rival and therefore prepares a vial of poison and pours it into the sea pool where Scylla regularly bathed, transforming her into a thing of terror even to herself.
In the Odyssey, Odysseus is advised by Circe to sail closer to Scylla, for Charybdis could drown his whole ship: "Hug Scylla's crag—sail on past her—top speed! Better by far to lose six men and keep your ship than lose your entire crew." She also tells Odysseus to ask Scylla's mother, the river nymph Crataeis, to prevent Scylla from pouncing more than once. Odysseus successfully navigates the strait, but when he and his crew are momentarily distracted by Charybdis, Scylla snatches six sailors off the deck and devours them alive.