Magical Creatures of the Ancient World

The basilisk can look like a giant venomous snake or like a being with the body of a snake, and the head, wings, and legs of a rooster. This terrifying beast is known for killing its victims with its gaze.

In his Naturalis Historia, Pliny the Elder describes the basilisk as a small deadly snake living in Northern Africa. The snake is said to be no more than twelve fingers in length. The term basilisk comes from the Greek basilikos meaning little king. This refers to the crown the basilisk has on its head.