MYTHS AND LEGENDS

 Legends sys that Arthur, king of the Britons, won the throne by pulling a sword- the famous Excalibur- from a stone. This was a feat that only the true king was able to achieve. Arthur ruled during a period of peace and prosperity in Britain. Some folk tales say that if Britain is in danger, Arthur will return with his knights to defend the nation.

According to Greek and roman mythology, Hercules was born with superhuman strength. By the time he reached adulthood he had killed a lion. Hercules had a jealous stepmother, who drove him to madness. While in this state, Hercules killed his wife and children. In order to regain his honor, Hercules had to perform 12 difficult tasks

• Slay the Nemean Lion
• Kill the Hydra
• Catch the Arcadian Stag
• Destroy the giant Erymanthian boar
• Clean the Augean stables
• Destroy the cannibal birds of the lakeStymphalis
• Capture the fire-breathing Cretan Bull
• Catch the horses of the Thracaian king Diomedes
• Seize the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of Amazon
• Capture the Oxen of the monster Geryon
• Obtain the golden apples of the Hesperides
• Bring Cerberus from Hades

Almost every culture on earth has legends of imaginary beasts. Some are like human with supernatural power; some are part human, part animal; while others are unlike anything we know.

Dragons appear in the myths of many cultures, especially China, where the dragon was a symbol of the emperor. Atypical dragon has a serpent-like body covered with scales, large wings, and can breathe fire. In legends, dragons often guard a cave of treasure

Giants or Ogres are enormous human shaped creatures. They are usually seen as fearsome but stupid monsters that feed on human flesh. Famous giants includes Goliath in the bible and Cyclops, Atlas and the Titans in the Greek mythology

Vampires are the “Undead” who drink the blood of the living to survive. Ideas about the vampires include the belief that plunging a wooden a stake through a vampire’s heart can destroy it. Some peoples also think that you can protect yourself against vampire with garlic, holy water, crosses and bibles, and that a vampire cannot enter a home unless invited.