Cynocephali (Dog-Headed Men)
Cynocephali (Dog-Headed Men) are a legendary race of dog-headed humanoids discussed extensively in Vatican and early Christian theology. Augustine in City of God considered whether these beings, reported by Roman travelers and Pliny the Elder, were descended from Adam and whether Christ died for them. The most famous Christian cynocephalus is St. Christopher, who in Orthodox iconography is depicted with a dog's head. According to his tradition, Christopher was a giant cynocephalus from the land of the cannibals who converted to Christianity and was martyred. Vatican theologians debated for cen