At the edges of the known world of the medieval mappaemundi were supposed to live monstrous races described by travelers and soldiers that dared to adventure so far away. At the times, authors like Pliny with his book "Natural History" included illustrations and descriptions of these races culled from descriptions and classical writings ("Natural History" was said to have been created with about 20,000 facts extracted from 2000 classical volumes).

Among well and less known eclectic creatures such as the Giants, the Pygmies, the Panotii (had giant ears), the Astomi (no mouths), the Anthropophagi (cannibals), the Amazons ..., were the Cynocephali, or Dog-heads. They had the body of a man and the head of a dog. According to Pliny, they lived in the mountains of India and barked to communicate. They lived in caves and wore animal skins. They hunted very successfully and used javelins, bows and swords. Other sources that circulated in the Middle Ages, such as the account of Alexander the Great adventures in India picture the Cynocephali much more frightening, -- with enormous teeth and breathing fire. Several sources make them cannibals. All sources emphasize that they combine the natures of man and beast.