The Leviathan is a sea monster referred to in the Bible. According to the old testament, the Leviathan was created on the fifth day of creation. Originally God produced a male and a female leviathan, but lest in multiplying the species should destroy the world, He slew the female, reserving her flesh for the banquet that will be given to the righteous on the advent of the Messiah.

In recent literature, the word has become synonymous with any large sea monster or creature. The most famous leviathan of modern times is of course Moby-Dick.Moby-Dickis a novel by Herman Melville, first published in 1851. It is the story of the wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleshipPequod,commanded byCaptain Ahab. Ishmael quickly learns that Ahab has one purpose on this voyage, to seek out Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white sperm whale. In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab's boat and bit off his leg, which now drives Ahab to take revenge.

Then as now, the whale wa...