Based on the available facts and the latest smoke monster revelations during 5x12 Dead Is Dead, I now think that what we have historically called Cerberus is really a hybrid blend of Cerberus & Ammit, or a blend of Egyptian AND Greek mythology.
Cerberus (Per Wikipedia)
The common depiction of Cerberus in Greek mythology and art is as having three heads, a mane of live serpents (similar to Medusa's hair) and a dragon's tail. In most works the three-heads each respectively see and represent the past, the present and the future, while other sources suggest the heads represent birth, youth and old age. Each of Cerberus' heads is said to have an appetite only for live meat and thus allow the spirits of the dead to freely enter the underworld, but allow none to leave. Cerberus was always employed as Hades' loyal watchdog, and guarded the gates that granted access and exit to the underworld
1. Three Heads >> In the past we have seen the smoke monster appear as multiple strings of smoke forming the total cloud. That could be indicitive of the 3 heads.
2. Past/Present/Future >> The smoke monster could very well be a fate machine (lack of better term here) ie. passing judgement or course correcting. It clearly has the ability to recall events in peoples past telepathically or otherwise, and I surmise it is able to see the future as well.
3. Guarded the Gates >> Based on Locke "knowing where to find it" it appears that "home base" is at the gate to the temple.
4. The Blast Door Map >> Does elude to Cerberus Vents, etc...
Ammit (Egyptian):
Ammit was the personification of divine retribution for all the wrongs one had committed in life. She dwelt in the Hall of Ma'at, who was the personification of the concept of truth, balance, and order. In the Ancient Egyptian underworld (known as Duat) hearts of the dead were weighed by Anubis against a feather from Ma'at's headdress. The hearts of those who were heavy with wrongdoing failed the test were given to Ammit for her to devour. Those whose souls were devoured were not permitted to enter Aaru, having to be restless forever—effectively dying a second time. If the heart was lighter than a feather then the soul was judged by the god of the underworld, Osiris. Ammit was not worshipped, and she was never regarded as a goddess. Instead, she embodied all that the Egyptians feared, threatening to bind them to eternal restlessness if they did not follow the principle of Ma'at. Thus Ammit was depicted with the head of a crocodile or dog, the front part of her body as a lioness or leopard, and her hind quarters in the form of a hippopotamus, a combination of those animals which were considered as the most dangerous to the Ancient Egyptians. Although often referred to as a demon, by destroying evil she acted as a force for good.
1. Three Animals >> Instead of three heads, this time we have three animals. One of them is still a dog, but another is a Hippo. Perhaps these varying animal traits could be responsible for the sounds it makes (for example the smashing of the ground or the wailing could be a hippo trait)
2. Truth/Balance/Order >> This goes back to passing Judgement/Justice. 3. Failing the test >> If people failed they were destroyed by Ammit.. Eko failed the test and was destroyed (he did not repent) .. Ben repented immediately and instead appears to have been warned.
4. Restless Forever >> My opinion is that by letting Ben live, as Locke's Lackey, along with the guilt of losing his daughter, he will indeed be restless.
5. Ma'at >> Could Jacob be a pseudonym or modelled after Ma'at? Its possible.
In the end I believe it is consistent that the smoke monster and/or the appearance of Yemi/Alex in conjunction with the smoke monster is a blending of the lore behind Cerberus and Ammit. There seem to be elements from each and this is consistent with the show overall. Obviously there is a heavy egyptian influence (the glyphs, the statue holding the Ankh, Paul's Ankh necklace, the smoke monster's lair), but at the same time there is a heavy greek influence (the numbers, the direct reference to Pythagoras during the reveal that Ben's mother died giving birth episode, and how Pythagoras believes in transmigration of the soul and reincarnation seem to come into play), the extensive use of philosophers, which is really much more greek in nature than egyptian.
Lost in a half hour!
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