In the dim edges of ancient maps lurked the Cynocephali — dog-headed men, beasts in human form.

Greek historian Ctesias (5th century BC) chillingly wrote:

“On these mountains there live men with the head of a dog… They speak no language, but bark like dogs, and in this way understand one another. They feed on raw meat and live in caves.”

Imagine the horror: snarling canine muzzles on towering bodies, eyes glowing with feral hunger, ripping into flesh under moonlit peaks. No words — only guttural barks echoing through the darkness as they hunt.

Even more twisted? In Eastern Orthodox tradition, Saint Christopher was one of them — a cynocephalus giant converted to Christ, depicted on Russian icons with a dog’s head until the church banned it in the 17th century. A saint… or a monster in disguise? 😈🐺

Pure mythological nightmare fuel that still haunts the shadows.