---
title: Statue of Cerberus
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19545/statue-of-cerberus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-10-10
---

# Statue of Cerberus

_Authored by Carole Raddato_

## Image File

[![Statue of Cerberus](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19545.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19545.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Cerberus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cerberus/), detail of a statue group of [Persephone](https://www.worldhistory.org/persephone/) (as [Isis](https://www.worldhistory.org/isis/)) and [Pluto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pluto/) (as [Serapis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Serapis/)). From the Sanctuary of the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) Gods at Gortyna. Dated to the mid-2nd century CE.

Cerberus was a monstrous watchdog with three heads that guarded the entrance to the underworld. He devoured anyone who tried to escape [Hades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/) and refused entrance to living humans, though [Orpheus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Orpheus/) gained passage by charming him with his [lyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lyre/).

Heraklion Archaeological Museum, [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/).

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2024, October 10). Statue of Cerberus. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19545/statue-of-cerberus/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Statue of Cerberus." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 10, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19545/statue-of-cerberus/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Statue of Cerberus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 Oct 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19545/statue-of-cerberus/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/white-flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/29760940444/)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/29760940444/) by [**Carole Raddato**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/29760940444/). Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 10 October 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.