It derives from the Greek word μονόκερως (monokerōs), a compound word from μόνος (monos) which means "only one" / "single" and κέρας (keras) (neuter gender), which means "horn".
The monoceros was first described in Pliny the Elder's Natural History as a creature with the body of a horse, the head of a stag (minus the antlers), the feet of an elephant, and the tail of a wild boar. It has one black horn in the middle of its forehead, which is two cubits (about 1 m or 3 feet) in length, and is impossible to capture alive.[1]
Cosmas Indicopleustes, in the Christian Topography, writes that he did not see the animal, but he did see brazen figures of it at the palace of the king of Aethiopia and from these figures he was able to draw it. He also mentions that the people speak of it as a terrible beast and invincible, and that all its strength lies in its horn. When it is pursued by many hunters and is about to be caught, it springs up to the top of some precipice, whence it falls down. Then, while falling, it turns so that the horn sustains all the shock of the fall, and it escapes unhurt.[2]
In today's English language, the term monoceros typically refers to a unicorn or similar one-horned creature.[3]
^introduction, Pliny the Elder ; translated with an; Healy, notes by John F. (1991). Natural history. London, England: Penguin Books. ISBN9780140444131.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^"Cosmas Indicopleustis - Christiana Topographia (MPG 088 0051 0476) [0500-0600] Full Text". Documenta Catholica Omnia.
^"monoceros". OED Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
December 15, 2023
monoceros, legendary, creature, monoceros, ancient, greek, μονόκερως, legendary, animal, with, only, horn, related, unicorn, monoceros, above, pictured, bodleian, library, ashmole, bestiary, folio, constellation, monoceros, mythology, editit, derives, from, gr. The monoceros Ancient Greek monokerws is a legendary animal with only one horn related to the unicorn The monoceros above as pictured in the Bodleian Library Ashmole Bestiary Folio 21r For the constellation see Monoceros Mythology editIt derives from the Greek word monokerws monokerōs a compound word from monos monos which means only one single and keras keras neuter gender which means horn The monoceros was first described in Pliny the Elder s Natural History as a creature with the body of a horse the head of a stag minus the antlers the feet of an elephant and the tail of a wild boar It has one black horn in the middle of its forehead which is two cubits about 1 m or 3 feet in length and is impossible to capture alive 1 Cosmas Indicopleustes in the Christian Topography writes that he did not see the animal but he did see brazen figures of it at the palace of the king of Aethiopia and from these figures he was able to draw it He also mentions that the people speak of it as a terrible beast and invincible and that all its strength lies in its horn When it is pursued by many hunters and is about to be caught it springs up to the top of some precipice whence it falls down Then while falling it turns so that the horn sustains all the shock of the fall and it escapes unhurt 2 In today s English language the term monoceros typically refers to a unicorn or similar one horned creature 3 See also editElasmotherium Rhinoceros UnicornReferences edit introduction Pliny the Elder translated with an Healy notes by John F 1991 Natural history London England Penguin Books ISBN 9780140444131 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Cosmas Indicopleustis Christiana Topographia MPG 088 0051 0476 0500 0600 Full Text Documenta Catholica Omnia monoceros OED Online Oxford University Press Retrieved 30 October 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Monoceros legendary creature amp oldid 1177278028, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
