Tanagran Triton – a sea-monster with the upper body of a man and a fishtail. A solitary creature with an appetite it is said to have red eyes, scaly fish skin, and vicious sharp teeth.
Monstrous Triton , Der Naturen Bloeme manuscript c. 1350, National Library of the Netherlands - www.theoi.com
Pausanias recounted the legend that “the women of Tanagra before the orgies of Dionysos went down to the sea to be purified, were attacked by the Triton as they were swimming, and prayed that Dionysos would come to their aid. The god, it is said, heard their cry and overcame the Triton in the fight.” (Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 20. 4 (trans. Jones) Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.)
Thanks for that interesting myth. It is interesting how Dionysos appears to be one of the more interactive greek gods who comes to the aid of his followers. Is Triton one of the children of Poseidon?
No, Triton is not one of Poseidon’s children and I could not find a genealogy for this particular fellow creature.