Enchanted World Series: Magical Beasts

Opens with a recounting of how early humans feared the animals and worshipped the Cave bear. Time passed and the cave bear perished but other beast gods remained such as Cernunnos. The gods of Egypt were beast men and the Greeks spoke of their gods disguising themselves as animals. Then Pan the goat god died and the beast gods' decline began. It recounts that many flying animals, both mundane and magical, commanded respect for reason that they were able to escape the mundane world by flight. Pegasus, the Roc, Simurghs, Firebirds, the Phoenix, and even ordinary birds like the Raven in mythology and the robin were revered. Other flying animals were also known such as Griffins, Harpies and Tengus. Of all magical beasts, however, Unicorns were the most respected. It epitomised beauty and purity but courage as well because it would never let itself be taken alive. Its cousins included China’s Ki-lin and the Persian Karkadann. Also mentions other magical beasts such as the manticore, mermecolion, baromets, basilisk, and peryton.