Amphisbaena (pronounced: /ˌæmfɪsˈbiːnə/, plural: amphisbaenae), Amphisbaina, Amphisbene, Amphisboena, Amphisbona, Amphista, Amphivena, or Anphivena (the last two being feminine), a Greek word, from amphis, meaning "both ways", and bainein, meaning "to go", also called the Mother of Ants, is a mythological, ant-eating serpent with a head at each end. According to Greek mythology, the mythological amphisbaena was spawned from the blood that dripped from the Gorgon Medusa's head as Perseus flew over the Libyan Desert with it in his hand. Cato's army then encountered it along with other serpents on the march. Amphisbaenae fed off of the corpses left behind. The amphisbaena has been referred to by the poets, such as Nicander, John Milton, Alexander Pope, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson and the amphisbaena as a mythological and legendary creature has been referenced by Lucan, Pliny the Elder, Isidore of Seville, and Thomas Browne, the last of whom debunked its existence. Not to be confused with the NATO phonetic alphabet, which has also informally been called the “International Phonetic Alphabet”. For information on how to read IPA transcriptions of English words, see IPA chart for English. ... This article is about a system of myths. ... Subfamilies Aenictogitoninae Agroecomyrmecinae Amblyoponinae (incl. ... Serpent is a word of Latin origin (serpens, serpentis) which is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit term serp, that is normally substituted for snake in a specifically mythic or religious context, in order to distinguish such creatures from the field of biology. ... The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and their own cult and ritual practices. ... See also Gorgona, for the Colombian/Italian islands. ... Medusa, by Arnold Böcklin (1878) In Greek mythology, Medusa (Greek: Μέδουσα, Médousa, guardian, protectress[1]), was a monstrous chthonic female character, essentially an extension of an apotropaic mask, gazing upon whom could turn onlookers to stone. ... Perseus with the head of Medusa, by Antonio Canova, completed 1801 (Vatican Museums) Perseus, Perseos, or Perseas (Greek: Περσεύς, Περσέως, Περσέας), the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty there, was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits helped establish the hegemony of Zeus and the Twelve... Desert landscape in Southern Libya The Libyan Desert (Arabic: الصحراء الليبية) is an African desert that is located in the northern and eastern part of the Sahara Desert and occupies southwestern Egypt, eastern Libya and northwestern Sudan. ... The poor poet A poet is a person who writes poetry. ... Nicander (2nd century BC), Greek poet, physician and grammarian, was born at Claros, near Colophon, where his family held the hereditary priesthood of Apollo. ... For other persons named John Milton, see John Milton (disambiguation). ... Alexander Pope, an English poet best known for his Essay on Criticism and Rape of the Lock Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 – 30 May 1744) is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the early eighteenth century, best known for his satirical verse and for his translation of Homer. ... Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (August 6, 1809 - October 6, 1892) is generally regarded as one of the greatest English poets. ... Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (November 3, AD 39-April 30, 65), better known in English as Lucan, was a Roman poet, and is one of the outstanding figures of the Silver Latin period. ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19c portrait. ... Saint Isidore of Seville (Spanish: or ) (c. ... Sir Thomas Browne (October 19, 1605 – October 19, 1682) was an English author of varied works that disclose his wide learning in diverse fields including medicine, religion, science and the esoteric. ...

Appearance

A 15th century Amphisbaena on a misericord in Buckinghamshire

This early description of the amphisbaena depicts a venomous, duo-headed snakelike creature. However, Medieval and later drawings often show it with two or more scaled feet, particularly chicken feet and feathered wings. Some even depict it as a horned, dragon-like creature with a serpent-headed tail and small, round ears. While others have both "necks" of equal size so that it cannot be determined which is the rear head. Many descriptions of the amphisbaena say its eyes glow like candles or lightning, but the poet Nicander seems to contradict this by describing it as "always dull of eye". He also says: "From either end protrudes a blunt chin; each is far from each other." Nicander's account seems to be referring to what is indeed called the Amphisbaenia. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Misericords are small wooden shelves underneath folding seats in order to provide some level of comfort for those standing during long periods of prayer. ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19c portrait. ... Naturalis Historia Pliny the Elders Natural History is an encyclopedia written by Pliny the Elder. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Nicander (2nd century BC), Greek poet, physician and grammarian, was born at Claros, near Colophon, where his family held the hereditary priesthood of Apollo. ... Nicander (2nd century BC), Greek poet, physician and grammarian, was born at Claros, near Colophon, where his family held the hereditary priesthood of Apollo. ... Families Amphisbaenidae Trogonophidae Bipedidae Suborder Amphisbaenia is a group of peculiar legless squamates distantly related to lizards and snakes, in spite of their resemblance to worms (due to their pink color and scales arranged in rings). ...

Movement

The burrowing amphibaena's heads have two separate minds, and can separate itself into two halves as well as reform back into a single body. According to some accounts, the amphisbaena can slither (or run) very quickly, and, at least in the case of the limbless amphisbaena, it can slither in either direction, as Isidore of Seville indicates: "It can move in the direction of either head with a circular motion." The poet Nicander, however, describes the it as "slow in motion". However, when the heads lock jaws or join in a similar fashion the amphisbaena can roll like a hoop, as depicted by medieval artists. Isidore of Seville indicates: "Alone among snakes, the amphisbaena goes out in the cold." could the amphisbaena be warm-blooded? Saint Isidore of Seville (Spanish: or ) (c. ... Nicander (2nd century BC), Greek poet, physician and grammarian, was born at Claros, near Colophon, where his family held the hereditary priesthood of Apollo. ... Saint Isidore of Seville (Spanish: or ) (c. ... A warm-blooded (homeothermic) animal is one that can keep its core body temperature at a nearly constant level regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment (that is, to maintain thermal homeostasis) . This can involve not only the ability to generate heat, but also the ability to cool down...

On some accounts of the limbed (and occasionally limbless) and depictions in medieval art, the amphisbaena has wings that are scaly to feathered, from external to internal hidden by folds in its scales. However none of these depictions have shown that it has the ability to fly.

Folk Medicine

In ancient times, the supposedly dangerous amphisbaena had many uses in the art of folk medicine and other such remedies. It is said that expecting women wearing a live amphisbaena around their necks would have safe pregnancies, however if your goal is to cure ailments such as arthritis or the common cold wear only its skin. By eating the meat of the amphisbaena one could attract many lovers of the opposite sex and slaying one during the full moon, could give one pure of heart and mind, power. Lumberjacks suffering from cold weather on the job could nail its carcass or skin to a tree to keep warm, while in the process allowing the tree to fell easier. A traditional healer in Côte dIvoire Folk medicine refers collectively to procedures traditionally used for treatment of illness and injury, aid to childbirth, and maintenance of wellness. ... Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. ... // Acute viral nasopharyngitis, often known as the common cold, is a mild viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system (nose and throat). ... The phrase opposite sex infers that there are two sexes, male and female, each being the opposite of the other. ... Composite image of the Moon as taken by the Galileo spacecraft on 7 December 1992. ... Lumberjack is the traditional name of a person, almost always a man, who makes his living cutting down trees. ...

Origins

In The Book of Beasts, T.H. White suggests that the creature derives from sightings of the worm lizards of the same name. These creatures are found in the Mediterranean countries where many of these legends originated. Terence Hanbury White (May 29, 1906 - January 17, 1964) was a writer. ... Families Amphisbaenidae Trogonophidae Bipedidae Suborder Amphisbaenia is a group of peculiar legless squamates distantly related to lizards and snakes, in spite of their resemblance to worms (due to their pink color and scales arranged in rings). ...

In popular culture

Amphisbaena is Monster in My Pocket #75. Monster in My Pocket was a toy line developed by Morrison Entertainment Group, headed by Joe Morrison and John Weems, and released by Matchbox in 1990 consisting of small, soft plastic monsters from religion and mythology, literary fantasy, and unexplained phenomena. ...

Amphisbaena appears in the Square Enix RPG Xenogears under a slightly altered name. Amphysvena is the name given to the omnigear used by Ramsus during his final battle with the party. As well as Square Enix MMORPG Final Fantasy XI as one of the many worm-like creatures. SQUARE ENIX (Japanese: スクウェア・エニックス) is a Japanese producer of popular video games and manga. ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ... An image from World of Warcraft, one of the largest commercial MMORPGs as of 2004, based on active subscriptions. ... Final Fantasy XI ), also known as Final Fantasy XI: Online or simply Final Fantasy Online, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix Co. ...

In Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, Amphisbaena appears as a monster.

In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Luigi tells a story about how he dresses in a bride's dress to fight a giant snake with two heads, one at the end of its tail. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the sequel to the Nintendo 64 video game Paper Mario, and is the fourth in the series of Mario role-playing game titles that includes Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. ...

The amphisbaena appears in "There Are More Things", a short story by Jorge Luis Borges that is a tribute to H. P. Lovecraft. Jorge Luis Borges (August 24, 1899 – June 14, 1986), was an Argentine writer who is considered one of the foremost Hispanic literary figures of the 20th century. ... Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937) was an American author of fantasy, horror and science fiction. ...

In heraldry, the amphisbaena appears on the crest of Gwilt. CREST (although written like a acronym it does not stand for anything) is the Central Securities Depository for the U.K., Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey equities and UK gilts. ...

See also

Ouroboros 1478 drawing by Theodoros Pelecanos, in alchemical tract titled Synosius. ...

Amphisbaenia Families Amphisbaenidae Trogonophidae Bipedidae Suborder Amphisbaenia is a group of peculiar legless squamates distantly related to lizards and snakes, in spite of their resemblance to worms (due to their pink color and scales arranged in rings). ...

Medusa Medusa, by Arnold Böcklin (1878) In Greek mythology, Medusa (Greek: Μέδουσα, Médousa, guardian, protectress[1]), was a monstrous chthonic female character, essentially an extension of an apotropaic mask, gazing upon whom could turn onlookers to stone. ...

Bibliography

• Hunt, Jonathan (1998). Bestiary: An Illuminated Alphabet of Medieval Beasts (1st ed.). Hong Kong: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-689-81246-9.

• Dave. Amphisbaena. Dave's Mythical Creatures and Places. Available: URL http://www.eaudrey.com/myth/amphisbaena.htm. Last accessed 3 May 2005.