Traces of Greek and Roman mythology are sprinkled throughout today’s most influential avenues of pop culture. These myths usually involved Greek and Roman gods who ruled the narratives, and altered the odds to their favors. However, some pieces of these myths are those that indulge in the obscurities of creatures that can only be written for the page. Mythological monsters challenge the heroes of ancient mythology and are tests from the gods.

One franchise in particular is based so heavily on mythology that an entire world was created with the aid of these monsters. The beloved Harry Potterseries invites these monstrosities of old into a world that is all their own. From The Sorcerer’s Stone to The Deathly Hallows, the author of Harry Potter took these creatures and made them entirely her own. Without the backbone of ancient mythology, Hogwarts would have been a much different environment. Here are major references to ancient mythology in the Harry Potter movies.

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4 Three-Headed Horror

     Warner Bros Pictures

In 1997, the first book in the seven-part series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, hit the shelves, and close to four years later, the film adaptation was released. The film grossed over $90 million in the opening weekend alone, and was the start of one of the most popular and highest-grossing franchises in cinema history. The Sorcerer’s Stone served as an introduction piece to the wizarding world. Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, finds out on his 11th birthday that he is actually a wizard whose existence holds vital importance at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whisked away in the literal magic of it all, Harry and his two friends must find the sorcerer’s stone, which grants immortality to the beholder, before evil does.

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The journey to the stone is far from easy, but it is in the very first feat that the three meet Fluffy, a three-headed dog guarding the entrance to where the stone is apparently being hidden. Fluffy is a direct reference to Cerberus, a three-headed dog who guards the gate to the underworld and prevents the dead from leaving. Cerberus is a popular fixture throughout mythology as he appears in Dante’s Inferno and various other classic literary works.

3 One Snake is Better than Stone

The second installment to the Harry Potter franchise, The Chamber of Secrets, featured a monster that isn’t as directly detectable as Fluffy, but just as apparent to mythology buffs. Recent attacks at Hogwarts threaten the school’s closure, and it is up to the core three to once again solve the mystery. These attacks involve the petrification, or immobilization, of the victims. After Hermione, who is played by Emma Watson, becomes petrified, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Harry must band together and find out who the attacker is, all with the use of clues left behind by Hermione. The two discover that the monster is actually a basilisk who can immobilize its victims with just one look. Sound familiar?

The basilisk is derivative of Medusa, one of the most infamous women in all mythology. With just one look, Medusa would turn all who looked into her eyes into pure stone. Harry Potter allows for a lighter tone, being that the victims of petrification can be cured. This wasn’t the case for Medusa’s victims, as they would remain in their new state forever.

2 Wolf in Man’s Skin

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Professor Remus Lupin made his first appearance in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and remains one of the most beloved characters in the series. In the film, he is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and he takes quite the liking to Harry. He was friends with Harry’s father and shares many a memory with him of their days at Hogwarts. Despite his connection and overall positive demeanor, there is something off about Lupin, and in the third act of the film, it is revealed that Lupin is actually a werewolf.

Werewolves have held their place amongst the greats as far as monsters go, and their birthplace is in deep ancient mythology. According to History Channel, werewolves made their first appearance in literature in “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” an early epic poem that originated in Mesopotamia. However, Harry Potter’s author added her own flair to the ancient beast. Professor Lupin’s name, Remus is reminiscent of Rome’s very founders. According to myth, two twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, were placed in a river and were found by a wolf who allowed them to nurse on her. When they grew, they fought about who had founded Rome, resulting in the murder of Remus by Romulus’ hand.

1 Trouble in the Water

     Warner Bros Pictures 

When people think of mermaids, the first thought to come to mind is Disney’s Ariel. The image of long flowing hair and a colorful tail are much more inviting than the merpeople in the Harry Potter universe. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry’s name gets tossed into the Triwizard Tournament Cup, and Harry must yet again come face to face with danger. The only difference is, this time, the stakes are unknowingly higher, and the film concludes with the return of Lord Voldermort, the dark lord whose mere name silences a room. One of the Tournament’s events requires the competitors to dive deep into the great lake to save one of their friends who are being held captive by nasty merpeople.

Mermaids in mythology have a much different persona than that of one from a Disney movie. According to myth, mermaids, also known as sirens, would enchant sailors with their beautiful voices and lure them to their deaths. Homer’s The Odyssey is one of the most notable works of literature to feature sirens. Harry Potter’s author references these sirens and uses their song to her advantage, but not with the literal merpeople. Harry receives a golden egg that inhabits a clue about the Tournament’s next event. When you open the egg above wate,r it lets out a terrible screeching sound, however, when it is opened underwater, the egg sings a beautiful song. Much like the sirens at sea, the egg speaks of people who promise a beautiful land with the lake. At it’s core, the Harry Potter franchiseis not only a story about witches and wizards, or good vs evil — it respectively borrows from epics and great works of literature to enhance its already timeless story.