The Physiologus is a didactic Christian text written or compiled in Greek by an unknown author in Alexandria. Its composition has been traditionally dated to the 2nd century AD by readers who saw para
Panther, Bern Physiologus, 9th century
According to the tradition of the Physiologus and medieval bestiaries, the aspidochelone is a fabled sea creature, variously described as a large whale or vast sea turtle, and a giant sea monster with
Physiologus
…On the Panther On the Whale, that is, the Aspidoceleon On the Partridge…
An Aspidochelone from a French manuscript, c. 1270. J. Paul Getty Museum
Alexander Romance, Armenian manuscript, 1538–1544
Brendan and his monks' ship is carried by a giant fish in a German manuscript.