archaicwonder:Talos the Giant and The Golden Hound of CreteMinted in Phiastos, Crete c. 300-250 BC,
archaicwonder:Talos the Giant and The Golden Hound of CreteMinted in Phiastos, Crete c. 300-250 BC, this bronze coin shows the giant Talos hurling a stone in his right hand and holding another in his left. On the other side is the inscription ΦΑΙC−ΤΙΩΝ with Laelaps, the Golden Hound of Crete, catching the scent of its quarry.Talos was a giant made of bronze, an automaton forged by Hephaistos, who protected Europa while she was in Crete by circling over the island three times each day. He fired volleys of rocks at pirates to protect the shores of Crete and was capable of heating his bronze skin in order to burn his enemies.Laelaps was a magical dog which was always destined to catch his prey. He was the hound which Zeus first presented to Europa on Crete. Europa passed Laelaps on to King Minos then to Prokris, Kephalos and Pandareos, before being placed amongst the stars as the Constellation Canis Major.The Golden Hound of Crete was sent by Rhea to guard the infant Zeus on Crete. May believe this hound and Laelaps are one and the same. -- source link