Catoblepas

The Catoblepas is a mythical beast that lived in Ethiopia.

Appearance
An animal that somewhat resembled a hornless bull or wildebeest, the Catoblepas had a long mane that fell over its eyes. It is sometimes reported to have a curled tail and cloven hooves. It also bore scales. Its gaze kills, like that of a Basilisk.

Diet
It eats poisonous plants, which give it toxic breath. Those infected lose sight, voice, and mind as they are shaken with convulsions and then finally die.

History
Roman soldiers once came across a grazing Catoblepas. Thinking it was fit for food, they snuck up on the beast. Hearing them, the animal raised its head and erected its mane. Its gaze killed all the soldiers on the spot.

The captain of the soldiers, upon hearing the news, sent more soliders to slay the beast, but they died too. After local natives explained what the Catoblepas did, the captain commanded his remaining men to ambush the creature and avoid its gaze. And so, the beast was finally killed.

Its skin was later hung in a Roman temple.