Dragons

     Roman dragons were based off of Greek mythology which had four major dragons, the serpent-like Dracones, the sea monster Cetea, the fire breathing Chimaera and the she-snake Dracaenea. A dragon unique to the Roman was one that dwelled in the mud pits and protected the city of Rome from enemies. Every month the city had to send a virgin girl to the dragon’s cave to hand feed the beast. She would be sent back unharmed unless she was not truly pure.

Serpent Dragon on stone slab. Located at the Musei Capitolini

Baroque marble winged dragon located in the Basilica di Sant’Agostino

Fire-breathing stone dragon relief near the outside entrance of the Basilica di Sant’Agostino

Colorful sea dragon floor mosaic located at the Musei Vaticani 

Atsma, Aaron J. "A Complete List of Dragons From Ancient Greek Mythology." Theoi Project. N.p., 2000. Web. 17 Aug. 2013.

 <http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/dragons.html>.

Owens, Kevin. "Roman Dragons." Draconika. N.p., 2004. Web. 17 Aug. 2013.

 <http://www.draconika.com/cultures/roman-dragons.php>.