Talos

mythological bronze automaton guarding Crete

In Greek mythology, Talos was a giant bronze man. He guarded the island of Crete by throwing stones at the ships of unwanted visitors. He was given life by the Greek god Hephaestus. He was given to either Minos or Europa as a gift.

Winged 'ΤΑΛΩΝ' armed with a stone. Silver didrachma from Phaistos, Crete (ca. 300/280-270 BCE), obverse. (Cabinet des Médailles, Paris)