Basilisk

• Appears In: 1.18 - A Serpent's Tooth, 1.23 - The Mysteries of Life, Young Hercules: Cheiron's Warriors (Mention Only)

The Legend

There are two species of basilisk. The first kind burns everything it approaches, and the second kind can kill every living thing with a mere glance. Both species are so dreadful that their breath wilts vegetation and shatters stones. It was even believed that if a man on horseback should try to kill it with a spear, the power of the poison conducted through the weapon would not only kill the rider, but the horse as well. The only way to kill a basilisk is by holding a mirror in front of its eyes, while avoiding to look directly at it. The moment the creature sees its own reflection, it will die of fright.

However, even the basilisk has natural enemies. The weasel is immune to its glance and if it gets bitten it withdraws from the fight to eat some rue, the only plant that does not wither, and returns with renewed strength. A more dangerous enemy is the cock for should the basilisk hear it crow, it would die instantly.

The carcass of a basilisk was often hung in houses to keep spiders away. It was also used in the temples of Apollo and Diana, where no swallow ever dared to enter. In heraldry the basilisk is represented as an animal with the head, torso and legs of a cock, the tongue of a snake and the wings of a bat. The snake-like rump ends in an arrow-point.

On Young Hercules

The basilisk encountered by the trio is called Ruff. As an egg, he is given to Jason as a fake coronation present by Strife and Discord. After hatching, he bonds with Iolaus immediately, thinking of the cadet as his mama. After proving to be very destructive, though, Iolaus is forced to give Ruff up and return him to the wild.