The Gryps (Griffin) Ancient Greek mythological creature

The Gryps (Griffin) was a beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.

A tribe of the creatures guarded rich deposits of gold in the mountains of Skythia (Scythia) in north-eastern Europe. Their one-eyed neighbours, the Arimaspians, battled them for these riches.

Decorative griffins were popular in ancient Greek art and later in medieval bestiaries and heraldry.