Greek Folklore and Legends: The Drakoi or Dragon

Harry's Note: I am pleased to announce collaboration with renowned scholar and author John L. Tomkinson.

Mr. Tomkinson is the author of many books about Greece (and other subjects) and he has agreed to provide for us, some of his insights, on this page, as well as others throughout my sites. 

Please visit http://www.anagnosis.gr for more of his fascinating insights into Greek culture and history.

True lovers of Greece will be well rewarded by obtaining some of his very reasonably priced editions which are only available internationally, direct from the publisher.

His series Greece: Beyond the Guidebooks has been a source of inspiration to me personally. Major credit cards accepted.

Greek Spirits: The Drakoi or Dragon

Greek Dragons (drakoi)

Many of the creatures of Greek tradition have parallels in the folklore of other nations, in particular, the giants and ogres. These creatures, with their enormous strength and limited intelligence seem designed to personify some of the brute forces encountered in nature. Of these, the most prominent in Greek folklore is the ambiguous figure of the drakos.

Sometimes, a drakos is an ogre in human form, sometimes it would take the form of a serpent, perhaps serpent with a human head. Read a story about drakos. http://www.anagnosis.gr/Dragons.htm

Illustration copyright Maria Ine
Read more in "Haunted Greece: Nymphs, Vampires and other Exotika", by John L. Tomkinson http://www.anagnosis.gr/Haunted_Greece.htm