Odontotyrranus

 


The odontotyrranus is a giant and fearsome monster that attacked Alexander the Great as he entered India. The beast is described as being larger than an elephant, having a bull like body, and horse like head. Its most notable features were three large horns on its head and a wide mouth full of predatory teeth. The beast was also semi-aquatic and wallows in water like a hippopotamus. It was black in color and its head was darkest. Its name means toothy tyrant.

The legend of the odontotyrranus states that Alexander's men made camp by a river after entering India. Two different versions state that the odontotyrranus either came down to the river to drink, or was wallowing in the water and lunged out of the river at them. Alexander's men fought the beast as it rampaged through their camp. It killed 26 men and injured 52. The odontotyrranus was carnivorous and able to swallow a human whole with ease. One of Alexander's commanders, Emendus, Duke of Arcadia finally brought the beast down.

Once the odontotyrannus was killed it took more than 300 men to pull its body up the river bank. The stomach was slit open and numerous venomous creatures such as scorpions and snakes were found inside, as well as a river fish the size of a cow.

Much speculation has been put into the real identity of the odontotyrranus. Most people settle on it being a rhinoceros. Although it's aquatic and predatory nature has made some think the odontotyrranus is the result of combining tales of the rhinoceros and crocodile together. It's also possible that the odontotyrranus was a fanciful interpretations of images of the makara.  


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