Scylla
（
Σκύλλα) and
Charybdis (
Χαρυβδίς). The names of two rocks between Italy and Sicily. In the
one nearest to Italy was a cave, in which dwelt Scylla, a daughter of Crataeis, a fearful
monster, barking like a dog, with twelve feet, and six long necks and heads, each of which
contained three rows of sharp teeth. The opposite rock, which was much lower, contained an
immense fig-tree, under which dwelt Charybdis, who thrice every day swallowed down the waters
of the sea, and thrice threw them up again (
Homer Od.
xii. 73-110; 235-259; 430-444). This is the Homeric account; but later traditions give
different accounts of Scylla's parentage. Heracles is said to have killed her, because she
stole some of the oxen of Geryon; but Phorcys is said to have restored her to life. Vergil
(
Aen. vi. 286) speaks of several Scyllae, and places them in the lower
world. Charybdis is described
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Scylla. (From a coin of Agrigentum.)
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as a daughter of Poseidon and Gaea, and as a voracious woman, who stole
oxen from Heracles, and was hurled by the thunderbolt of Zeus into the sea. See Tzetz.
ad Lycophr. 650; Eustath. p. 1719;
Serv. ad
Verg. Aen. iii. 420.
